presumption

noun

pre·​sump·​tion pri-ˈzəm(p)-shən How to pronounce presumption (audio)
1
: presumptuous attitude or conduct : audacity
2
a
: an attitude or belief dictated by probability : assumption
b
: the ground, reason, or evidence lending probability to a belief
3
: a legal inference as to the existence or truth of a fact not certainly known that is drawn from the known or proved existence of some other fact

Examples of presumption in a Sentence

The trial was unfair from the beginning because there was no presumption of innocence. a defendant's right to a presumption of innocence
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In other words, printing presses didn’t fund German war debt, but the presumption that Germany would win (and get back to work after winning) did. John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024 The presumptions about Carina can barely be contained in one library. Greg Evans, Deadline, 16 Dec. 2024 In that scenario, the court would terminate the proceedings after updating the case file to note the verdict removed the presumption of innocence, Trump was never sentenced and that his conviction was neither affirmed nor reversed on appeal. Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024 The Supreme Court ultimately ruled in July that Trump should benefit from the presumption of immunity for any official acts undertaken while in office, and returned the case to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine if the allegations contain official acts. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for presumption 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English presumpcioun, from Anglo-French presumption, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin praesumption-, praesumptio presumptuous attitude, from Latin, assumption, from praesumere

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near presumption

Cite this Entry

“Presumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumption. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

presumption

noun
pre·​sump·​tion pri-ˈzəm(p)-shən How to pronounce presumption (audio)
1
: presumptuous attitude or behavior
2
a
: strong reason for believing something to be so in spite of lack of proof
b
: something believed but not proved

Legal Definition

presumption

noun
pre·​sump·​tion pri-ˈzəmp-shən How to pronounce presumption (audio)
: an inference as to the existence of a fact not certainly known that the law requires to be drawn from the known or proven existence of some other fact
conclusive presumption
: a presumption that the law does not allow to be rebutted

called also irrebuttable presumption

compare rebuttable presumption in this entry
mandatory presumption
: a presumption that a jury is required by law to make upon proof of a given fact compare permissive presumption in this entry
permissive presumption
: an inference or presumption that a jury is allowed but not required to make from a given set of facts

called also permissive inference

compare mandatory presumption in this entry
presumption of fact
: a presumption founded on a previous experience or on general knowledge of a connection between a known fact and one inferred from it
presumption of innocence
: a rebuttable presumption in the favor of the defendant in a criminal action imposing on the prosecution the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
presumption of intent
: a permissive presumption that if a criminal defendant committed an act it was his or her intent to commit it
presumption of law
: a presumption (as of the innocence of a criminal defendant) founded on a rule or policy of law regardless of fact
presumption of survivorship
: the presumption in the absence of direct evidence that of two or more persons dying in a common disaster (as a fire) one was the last to die because of youth, strength, or other reasons rendering survivorship likely
rebuttable presumption
: a presumption that may be rebutted by evidence to the contrary compare conclusive presumption in this entry

More from Merriam-Webster on presumption

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