assumption

[ uh-suhmp-shuhn ]

noun

1. something taken for granted; a supposition:

   a correct assumption.

   Synonyms: theory, postulate, guess, conjecture, hypothesis, presupposition

2. the act of taking for granted or supposing.

   Synonyms: presupposition, presumption

3. the act of taking to or upon oneself.

   Synonyms: acceptance

4. the act of taking possession of something:

   the assumption of power.

   Synonyms: usurpation, appropriation, seizure

5. arrogance; presumption.

   Synonyms: gall, forwardness, effrontery

6. the taking over of another's debts or obligations.
7. Ecclesiastical.
   1. (often initial capital letter) the bodily taking up into heaven of the Virgin Mary.
   2. (initial capital letter) a feast commemorating this, celebrated on August 15.
8. Logic. the minor premise of a syllogism.

assumption

¹

/ əˈsʌmpʃən /

noun

1. the act of taking something for granted or something that is taken for granted
2. an assuming of power or possession of something
3. arrogance; presumption
4. logic a statement that is used as the premise of a particular argument but may not be otherwise accepted Compare axiom

Assumption

²

/ əˈsʌmpʃən /

noun

1. the taking up of the Virgin Mary (body and soul) into heaven when her earthly life was ended
2. the feast commemorating this, celebrated by Roman Catholics on Aug 15

Derived Forms

• asˈsumptively, adverb
• asˈsumptive, adjective

Other Words From

• misas·sumption noun
• nonas·sumption noun
• over·as·sumption noun
• preas·sumption noun
• reas·sumption noun
• self-as·sumption noun
• super·as·sumption noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of assumption¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English assumpcioun, assompcioun, assumsion, from Latin assūmptiōn- (stem of assūmptiō ), equivalent to assūmpt(us) “taken up” (past participle of assūmere ) + -iōn- noun suffix; assume, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of assumption¹

C13: from Latin assūmptiō a taking up, from assūmere to assume

Example Sentences

"Each component was rigorously tested and validated, and we made all the input data, assumptions, and methodologies fully transparent" adds Dr. Romani.

From Science Daily

Running our campaigns on the assumption that we can win with their votes alone has failed as well.

From Salon

While we successfully pushed for regulations to begin by 2028, a last-minute change allowed mega-dairies to continue to profit from “avoided methane” credits based on flawed assumptions, encouraging herd consolidation and pollution-heavy liquid manure systems.

From Los Angeles Times

In terms of the Oscars, it’s a bit early to make any assumptions about how the races will play out over the next few months.

From Los Angeles Times

The assumption is that they were retained for further medical research.

From BBC

Related Words

• acceptance
• belief
• expectation
• guess
• hunch
• hypothesis
• inference
• premise
• presumption
• supposition
• suspicion
• theory