English Reference
noun

forecasting

n.
US /ˈfɔɹˌkæstɪŋ/ UK /fˈɔːkɑːstɪŋ/ fore·cast·ing

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    the activity of predicting what will happen in the future using data.

    the act or process of making predictions about future events, typically in a professional or scientific context.

    Simple

    Accurate weather forecasting helps farmers decide when to plant their crops.

    In context

    The company's financial forecasting proved overly optimistic, leading to a significant budget shortfall by the end of the third quarter.

    Usage

    Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the field or practice.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'forecast' is the specific prediction, 'forecasting' refers to the ongoing process or the professional field itself.

At times of rapid change, forecasting is difficult.

Ars Technica· 15 Aug 2026

Yet forecasting community needs can be difficult in times of rapid change or crisis because of limited resources and restricted access to data.

Phys.org· 11 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated