es·ti·mate
ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 
estimated; estimating
1
a
: to judge tentatively or approximately the value, worth, or significance of
b
: to determine roughly the size, extent, or nature of
c
: to produce a statement of the approximate cost of
es·ti·mate
ˈe-stə-mət
1
a
: a rough or approximate calculation
b
: a numerical value obtained from a statistical sample and assigned to a population parameter
2
: a statement of the cost of work to be done
3
: an opinion or judgment of the nature, character, or quality of a person or thing
had a high estimate of his abilities
4
: the act of appraising or valuing : calculation
Synonyms
Examples of estimate in a Sentence
Verb
They estimated the distance at about three miles.
We need to estimate how much paint we'll need for the job.
The cost of the project has been estimated at about 10 million dollars.
He estimates that current oil reserves are 20 percent lower than they were a year ago.
Noun
According to government estimates, current oil reserves are 10 percent lower than they were a year ago.
One conservative estimate is that he stole five million dollars.
We solicited several estimates for the project.
The contractor's estimate for the job seemed high.
The company's products are, by general estimate, poorly made.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates the tariffs could raise only about $225 billion a year.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
The tougher regulations will reduce asthma symptoms for more than 70,000 Californians, according to the board’s estimate, and pump $100 billion of private investment into clean energy infrastructure over the next two decades.
—Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for estimate 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
By 2022, the Pew Research Center estimates there were more than 725,000 Indians living illegally in the U.S., behind only Mexicans and El Salvadorans.
—Ryan J. Foley, Twin Cities, 16 Nov. 2024
The Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates the tariffs could raise only about $225 billion a year.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2024
Noun
An impairment charge of $6.8 million was recorded for 60 South Sixth due to changes in cash flow estimates.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
The tougher regulations will reduce asthma symptoms for more than 70,000 Californians, according to the board’s estimate, and pump $100 billion of private investment into clean energy infrastructure over the next two decades.
—Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for estimate
Dictionary Entries Near estimate
Cite this Entry
“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estimate. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
estimate
1 of 2 verb
es·ti·mate
ˈes-tə-ˌmāt
estimated; estimating
1
: to judge the approximate value, size, or cost of on the basis of experience or observation rather than actual measurement
estimate the distance
estimate a painting job
2
: conclude sense 2, determine
estimated that the fire started in the kitchen
estimator
noun
-ˌmāt-ər
estimate
2 of 2 noun
es·ti·mate
ˈes-tə-mət
1
: the act of estimating
2
: an opinion or judgment of the nature, character, or quality of a thing
3
: a rough or approximate calculation
4
: a statement by a contractor of the probable cost for a job
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