supposition

noun

sup·​po·​si·​tion ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-shən 

1

: something that is supposed : hypothesis

2

: the act of supposing

suppositional

ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• hypothesis
• proposition
• theory
• thesis

Examples of supposition in a Sentence

a supposition that proved correct

This is just idle supposition.

Recent Examples on the Web

The supposition that the crime was committed accidentally seems equally implausible. —Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

There weren’t any suppositions or guesses about what somebody was thinking or feeling or looked like or anything like that. —Barbara Booth, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2024

Some scholars – even those who have been advocates of strong measures to compel CO2 emissions reductions – suggest that today’s climate activism suffers from a legacy of anti-capitalist suppositions about who is most responsible for warming temperatures. —Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Others were being medicated indefinitely on mere suppositions of mental illness. —Christopher Damien, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English supposicioun, from Anglo-French supposicion, from Late Latin supposition-, suppositio, from Latin, act of placing beneath, from supponere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing supposition

• on the supposition that

Kids Definition

supposition

noun

sup·​po·​si·​tion ˌsəp-ə-ˈzish-ən 

1

: something that is supposed

2

: the act of supposing

suppositional

-ˈzish-nəl 

-ən-ᵊl

adjective