Definition: A rough calculation or assessment of the value, size, or cost of something.

Alright class, settle down and let’s take a look! You’ve come across a tricky word today – “estimates.” Let’s break it down nice and slow. The dictionary gives us a good clue, don't you agree? It says an estimate is like a "rough calculation," or a “guess” if you will. Think of it this way: You're trying to figure out how many cookies are in a jar – you might estimate there’s about fifty, even if you don’t count them all! It’s not an exact number, but a good idea based on what you see. It can be used for lots of things, too - the cost of a project, the size of a room, or how long something might take. We're trying to assess – that means to check and judge – the value, the size, or even the cost! So, "estimates" are like educated guesses, helpful approximations. They’re not perfect, but they give us an idea when we don’t have all the details. Do you have any questions about this? Let's see if you can come up with your own examples of when you might use the word “estimate”!