proposition

1 of 2

noun

prop·​o·​si·​tion ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-shən 

1

a(1)

: something offered for consideration or acceptance : proposal

(2)

: a request for sexual intercourse

b

: the point to be discussed or maintained in argument usually stated in sentence form near the outset

c

: a theorem or problem to be demonstrated or performed

2

a

: an expression in language or signs of something that can be believed, doubted, or denied or is either true or false

b

: the objective meaning of a proposition

3

: something of an indicated kind to be dealt with

the farm was never a paying proposition

propositional

ˌprä-pə-ˈzish-nəl 

-ˈzi-shə-nᵊl

adjective

proposition

2 of 2

verb

propositioned; propositioning ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

: to make a proposal to

especially : to suggest sexual intercourse to

Synonyms

Noun

• hypothesis
• supposition
• theory
• thesis

Examples of proposition in a Sentence

Noun

He made an attractive business proposition.

The other company rejected their proposition.

Her theory rejects the basic proposition that humans evolved from apes.

If we accept proposition “A” as true, then we must accept proposition “B” as false.

The election will be a tough proposition for the mayor.

Verb

He was propositioned by a prostitute.

He got drunk and propositioned a woman sitting next to him in the bar.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Women entrepreneurs must be clear in articulating their value propositions. —Committee Of 200, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

The spokesman was also pressed on why these drones could not be shot for flying over military bases, a proposition Trump has called for. —Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Dec. 2024

Verb

Unified shares updates on budget, awards and staff changes Just Sayin’: Have you been propositioned? —San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024

After Shkreli propositioned Duca via Twitter direct message, the Teen Vogue columnist responded with this, albeit indelicate, rejection. —Issie Lapowsky, WIRED, 4 Aug. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1922, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

proposition

noun

prop·​o·​si·​tion

ˌpräp-ə-ˈzish-ən

1

: something offered to be thought about or accepted : proposal

a business proposition

2

: an expression (as in logic) to be proved or explained

3

: something of a certain kind which one must deal with

the mine will never be a paying proposition

fixing that roof will be a tough proposition