speculation
noun
spec·u·la·tion
ˌspe-kyə-ˈlā-shən 
: an act or instance of speculating: such as
a
: assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain
b
: a transaction involving such speculation
Examples of speculation in a Sentence
He dismissed their theories as mere speculation.
The book is just a lot of idle speculation about the future.
Her speculations leave many questions unanswered.
He lost everything in foolish land speculation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Some see the church’s future as lying in Asia, which has led to speculation the next pope could be from Southeast Asia.
—
Alicia Johnson, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
There’s also growing speculation that the Federal Reserve might soon cut interest rates.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The election process, conducted in secrecy by the College of Cardinals, has long been the subject of speculation and intrigue.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Much of the world’s attention is on the chaotic, short-term consequences of these policies: wild stock market fluctuations, concerns about the U.S. bond market, fears of a recession, and speculation about how different countries will negotiate or react.
—Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculation
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Alicia Johnson, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
There’s also growing speculation that the Federal Reserve might soon cut interest rates.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
The election process, conducted in secrecy by the College of Cardinals, has long been the subject of speculation and intrigue.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025
Much of the world’s attention is on the chaotic, short-term consequences of these policies: wild stock market fluctuations, concerns about the U.S. bond market, fears of a recession, and speculation about how different countries will negotiate or react.
—Michael Pettis, Foreign Affairs, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speculation
Cite this Entry
“Speculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculation. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
speculation
noun
spec·u·la·tion
ˌspek-yə-ˈlā-shən
1
: thoughts or guesses about something
much speculation about who the new teacher would be
2
: the taking of a big risk in business in hopes of making a big profit
Legal Definition
speculation
noun
spec·u·la·tion
ˌspe-kyə-ˈlā-shən
: an act or instance of speculating: as
a
: assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gain
b
: a transaction involving such speculation
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