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
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
Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
South Korea’s intelligence agency estimated in September that about 2,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed in the fighting.
—Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Even the most conservative estimates put his total output at 30,000 to 40,000 artworks, spanning printmaking, writing and filmmaking of both the arthouse and Bollywood variety.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
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
Now estimated to cost $300 million, the work is being funded by private, tax-deductible donations routed through the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall.
—Melanie Hicken, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
South Korea’s intelligence agency estimated in September that about 2,000 North Korean soldiers had been killed in the fighting.
—Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Intel's adjusted earnings of 23 cents per share was not comparable to analyst estimates.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Even the most conservative estimates put his total output at 30,000 to 40,000 artworks, spanning printmaking, writing and filmmaking of both the arthouse and Bollywood variety.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for estimate
Cite this Entry
“Estimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/estimate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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