assumption

noun

as·​sump·​tion ə-ˈsəm(p)-shən How to pronounce assumption (audio)
1
: a taking to or upon oneself
the assumption of a new position
2
: the act of laying claim to or taking possession of something
the assumption of power
3
a
: an assuming that something is true
a mistaken assumption
b
: a fact or statement (such as a proposition, axiom (see axiom sense 2), postulate, or notion) taken for granted
4
a
: the taking up of a person into heaven
b
capitalized : August 15 observed in commemoration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
5
: the taking over of another's debts
6

Examples of assumption in a Sentence

I made the assumption that he was coming, so I was surprised when he didn't show up. He will come home tomorrow. At least, that's my assumption. Many scientific assumptions about Mars were wrong. I'm telling you our arrival time on the assumption that you will check to see whether or not our flight is on time before you come to the airport. Her plan is based on the underlying assumption that the economy will improve in the near future. her assumption of the presidency the buyer's assumption of debt
Recent Examples on the Web The human verbally validates the assumption and asks Figure 01 to do just that, demonstrating incredible dexterity and precision in picking up the cup first and flipping it upside down before putting it in its place. Matt Novak / Gizmodo, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 The conversation will raise questions, implicitly at least, about the assumptions that underlie the current practice. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Estimates of the gap range from 1.5 million to as many as 7.2 million, depending on who is calculating it and what assumptions are being made. Bryan Mena, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced Washington to rethink its fundamental assumptions about Moscow. Max Bergmann, Foreign Affairs, 6 Mar. 2024 But given the authors' assumptions, ongoing violence would account for the bulk of those excess deaths, which could reach 66,720 under the status quo scenario and 85,750 under escalation. Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 Although those studies are many decades old, these assumptions became baked in over time. IEEE Spectrum, 1 Mar. 2024 Resonance requires radical listening, not assumptions. Gillian Oakenfull, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 With the help of former Gov. Rick Snyder, the state House and Senate GOP arms stepped in to raise money for candidates under the assumption the party would continue to be in disarray. USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assumption.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin assumption-, assumptio taking up, from Latin assumere — see assume

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Time Traveler
The first known use of assumption was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near assumption

Cite this Entry

“Assumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assumption. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

assumption

noun
as·​sump·​tion ə-ˈsəm(p)-shən How to pronounce assumption (audio)
1
capitalized : August 15 observed as a church festival to mark the taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven
2
a
: the act of taking upon oneself or taking possession of something
3
a
: the belief that something is true
b
: a fact or statement taken for granted

More from Merriam-Webster on assumption

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!