What does "assumption" mean?
The act of assuming, or taking to or upon oneself; the act of taking up or adopting.
Assumption
/əˈsʌm(p).ʃ(ə)n/ name, noun
name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of assuming, or taking to or upon oneself; the act of taking up or adopting.
- Grammar: assumption is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: premise, presumption, supposition, a priori principle.
- Useful contrasts: careful analysis, crucial evidence, educational linguistics concept.
- Usage evidence: Basic to the argument is the assumption that the rules in question are present in the language.
How to use "assumption"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "assumption" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "assumption" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "assumption" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "assumption" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "assumption", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of assuming, or taking to or upon oneself; the act of taking up or adopting. countable, uncountable
"His assumption of secretarial duties was timely."
- 2 the act of taking possession of or power over something wordnet
- 3 The act of taking for granted, or supposing a thing without proof; a supposition; an unwarrantable claim. countable, uncountable
"Their assumption of his guilt disqualified them from jury duty."
- 4 the act of assuming or taking for granted wordnet
- 5 The thing supposed; a postulate, or proposition assumed; a supposition. countable, uncountable
"No doubt a finite evaluative argument must make some unargued evaluative assumptions, just as finite factual arguments must make some unargued factual assumptions."
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to wordnet
- 7 The minor or second proposition in a categorical syllogism. countable, uncountable
- 8 a hypothesis that is taken for granted wordnet
- 9 The taking of a person up into heaven. countable, uncountable
"Of vvhat texte thou proveſt hell / vvill a nother prove purgatory / a nother lymbo patrum / and a nother the aſſumpcion of oure ladi: And a nother ſhall prove of the ſame texte that an Ape hath a tayle."
- 10 a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn wordnet
- 11 A festival in honor of the ascent of the Virgin Mary into heaven, celebrated on 15 August. countable, uncountable
- 12 (Christianity) the taking up of the body and soul of the Virgin Mary when her earthly life had ended wordnet
- 13 Assumptio. countable, rhetoric, uncountable
- 14 celebration in the Roman Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary's being taken up into heaven when her earthly life ended; corresponds to the Dormition in the Eastern Orthodox Church wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 The Assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus, into heaven, a Catholic dogma.
- 2 A Christian holy day of obligation (August 15) celebrating the Assumption of Mary.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
careful analysiscrucial evidenceeducational linguistics conceptevidentiary conclusion
Example
"Basic to the argument is the assumption that the rules in question are present in the language."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "assumption"?
Common synonyms include: premise, presumption, supposition, a priori principle, about face, about-face.
How do you use "assumption" in a sentence?
Basic to the argument is the assumption that the rules in question are present in the language.
How do you pronounce "assumption"?
Pronounced /əˈsʌm(p).ʃ(ə)n/.
Etymology
From Middle English assumpcioun, from Medieval Latin assumptio (“a taking up (into heaven)”) and Latin assumptio (“a taking up, adoption, the minor proposition of a syllogism”). Doublet of assumptio; see assume.