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
Massie’s comments shined a new spotlight on Les Wexner, the former owner of Victoria’s Secret, who is one of the most mysterious figures in Epstein’s orbit – a key player in helping the financier’s rise to extreme wealth, whose motivations and ties to Epstein have long been a source of speculation.
—
Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Calculating the interest-earning capabilities of a money market account requires some speculation as the account has a variable rate that will adapt over time.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Kwon argues that the proxy for that speculation is the rise in options trading, as opposed to traditional buy-hold-sell retail investor behavior.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
In the Guthrie case, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos felt compelled to issue a statement Monday clearing her family as suspects to tamp down the rampant speculation.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for speculation
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Curt Devine, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Calculating the interest-earning capabilities of a money market account requires some speculation as the account has a variable rate that will adapt over time.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
Kwon argues that the proxy for that speculation is the rise in options trading, as opposed to traditional buy-hold-sell retail investor behavior.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
In the Guthrie case, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos felt compelled to issue a statement Monday clearing her family as suspects to tamp down the rampant speculation.
—Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for speculation
Cite this Entry
“Speculation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculation. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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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