supposition

[ suhp-uh-zish-uhn ]

noun

1. the act of supposing.
2. something that is supposed; assumption; hypothesis.

supposition

/ ˌsʌpəˈzɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of supposing
2. a fact, theory, etc, that is supposed

Derived Forms

• ˌsuppoˈsitionally, adverb
• ˌsuppoˈsitionless, adjective
• ˌsuppoˈsitional, adjective

Other Words From

• suppo·sition·al adjective
• suppo·sition·al·ly adverb
• nonsup·po·sition·al adjective
• nonsup·po·sition·al·ly adverb
• unsup·po·sition·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of supposition¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin suppositiōn- (stem of suppositiō ) “substitution” ( English meaning by association with suppose ), equivalent to supposit(us) (past participle of suppōnere “to substitute”) + -iōn- stem of noun suffix -io; -ion, sup-, position

Example Sentences

Although it is only in recent years that the importance of our universal interdependence with nature has been demonstrated scientifically, the supposition that it was probably true has been around for hundreds of years.

From Nautilus

The underlining supposition is that if China can rebuild Afghanistan, it’s model must be superior to the Western one.

From Time

There were many technological challenges to surmount, as well as a long-held supposition that other solar systems would work just like ours.

From Science News

The necessity of unanimity in public bodies, or of something approaching towards it, has been founded upon a supposition that it would contribute to security.

From Vox

Contamination must be proven with certainty not supposition.

From The Daily Beast

And in that latter supposition, they may have been right; they certainly know more about Cypriot politics than I do.

From The Daily Beast

To be sure, there has been no denial of that widely reported supposition either.

From The Daily Beast

It's just the logical supposition to make about the anti-colonialist blah blah blah.

From The Daily Beast

We have likewise found a vein of plumbago, which was an object of search, on the supposition that it was coal.

From Project Gutenberg

The tone is too earnest to permit the supposition that Edward was dissembling knowledge of the facts.

From Project Gutenberg

And the latter supposition, indeed, seems to correspond with the circumstances of the facts.

From Project Gutenberg

This evidence does not require us to abandon the supposition that the tides tend to diminish the earth's rate of rotation.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter, indeed, is claimed by Eusebius as a Christian; but his character and conduct are inconsistent with such a supposition.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conjecture
• guesswork
• hunch
• hypothesis
• presumption
• thesis