premise

American  

[prem-is] / ˈprɛm ɪs /

noun

1. Logic. Also premiss. a proposition supporting or helping to support a conclusion.

   Synonyms:

   postulate, assumption

2. premises,

   1. a tract of land including its buildings.

   2. a building together with its grounds or other appurtenances.

   3. the property forming the subject of a conveyance or bequest.

3. Law.

   1. a basis, stated or assumed, on which reasoning proceeds.

   2. an earlier statement in a document.

   3. (in a bill in equity) the statement of facts upon which the complaint is based.

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verb (used with object)

premised, premising

1. to set forth beforehand, as by way of introduction or explanation.

2. to assume, either explicitly or implicitly, (a proposition) as a premise for a conclusion.

   Synonyms:

   hypothesize, postulate

verb (used without object)

premised, premising

1. to state or assume a premise.

premise British  

noun

1. Also: premiss.  logic a statement that is assumed to be true for the purpose of an argument from which a conclusion is drawn

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verb

1. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to state or assume (a proposition) as a premise in an argument, theory, etc

Other Word Forms

• repremise verb

Etymology

Origin of premise

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English premiss, from Medieval Latin praemissa, noun use of feminine of Latin praemissus, past participle of praemittere “to send before,” equivalent to prae- “before, in front, ahead,” + mittere “to send”; pre-

Example Sentences

Carlson briefly conceded the point—“I wouldn’t disagree”—but quickly returned to his initial premise.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

The company’s premise that consumers would pay a premium for sustainably made products proved flawed, according to an analyst.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Dan Fogelman’s latest TV series starring Sterling K. Brown and James Marsden is a mystery wrapped in a conspiracy wrapped in a sci-fi premise.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

The point: Dollar General appears ready to generate sales and earnings that satisfy or surpass expectations, even if consumer spending were to slow under the premise that shoppers would become more bargain conscious.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

The hidden premise of the lawyer’s argument is that if the audience watches the door, they believe it possible that the woman is alive.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith

Related Words

• assertion
• assumption
• basis
• ground
• presumption
• proposition
• thesis