prediction
n.-
1 future forecast (n.) B1 Intermediatea statement about what you think will happen in the future.
a statement or declaration regarding a future event, often based on current evidence or intuition.
ExampleThe weather prediction said it would rain, but the sun is out.
ExampleEconomic analysts are hesitant to make a firm prediction about the market's recovery until the new trade figures are released next month.
PitfallMy prediction to the weather was wrong.My prediction about the weather was wrong.Use the preposition 'about' or 'of' when specifying the subject of a prediction.
-
2 statistical estimation (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Technical Sciencea guess about a result based on numbers and data.
a probability estimation or expected value derived from statistical methods or computational models.
ExampleThe computer model uses past data to make a prediction about sales.
ExampleThe algorithm generates a prediction by analysing thousands of variables to determine the most likely outcome for each individual user.
UsageOften used with the verb 'generate' or 'yield' in data science contexts.
Learned borrowing from Latin praedictiō, praedictiōnis; equivalent to predict + -ion. Compare the Germanic equivalents forespeaking, foretale, foretelling.