predicate

1 of 3

noun

pred·​i·​cate ˈpre-di-kət How to pronounce predicate (audio)
1
a
: something that is affirmed or denied of the subject in a proposition in logic
b
: a term designating a property or relation
2
: the part of a sentence or clause that expresses what is said of the subject and that usually consists of a verb with or without objects, complements, or adverbial modifiers
predicative adjective
predicatively adverb

predicate

2 of 3

verb

pred·​i·​cate ˈpre-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce predicate (audio)
predicated; predicating

transitive verb

1
b
archaic : preach
2
a
: to assert to be a quality, attribute, or property
used with following of
predicates intelligence of humans
b
: to make (a term) the predicate in a proposition
3
: found, base
usually used with on
the theory is predicated on recent findings
4
: imply

predicate

3 of 3

adjective

pred·​i·​cate ˈpre-di-kət How to pronounce predicate (audio)
: completing the meaning of a copula
predicate adjective
predicate noun

Did you know?

The verb predicate means, among other things, "to found or base." Despite being attested as early as 1754, that sense has endured attack as a misuse on the grounds that it is not true to its Latin root praedicare, meaning "to proclaim, assert." This criticism, however, has subsided. Predicate can also mean "imply," but be careful about using it to mean "predict"-that use does appear in published sources sometimes, but it's an easy target for usage commentators, who are bound to consider it an all-too-predictable error. The meaning of predicate directly tapped from its Latin root-that is, "to assert"-most often occurs in metaphysic contemplation. A simplistic example of such use is the statement "if y is said to be x (e.g., an apple is a fruit), everything that is predicated of y is predicated of x."

Examples of predicate in a Sentence

Noun In the sentence “The child threw the ball,” the subject is “the child” and the predicate is “threw the ball.” Verb she has predicated her theory on recent findings by other astronomers Adjective In “the sun is hot,” “hot” is a predicate adjective.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Blaming the victim does not work here since the predicate for Hamas’ attack had less to do with anything Netanyahu did or did not do, and everything to do with Hamas and Iran intending to sabotage the potential normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. TIME, 8 Oct. 2023 Clearly, the most important priority for Israel right now is to defeat and displace Hamas as a necessary predicate for any lasting peace. TIME, 15 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for predicate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'predicate.' 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

Noun

Middle English, from Late Latin praedicatum, from neuter of praedicatus

Verb

Late Latin praedicatus, past participle of praedicare to assert, predicate logically, preach, from Latin, to proclaim, assert — more at preach

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of predicate was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near predicate

Cite this Entry

“Predicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predicate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

predicate

1 of 3 noun
pred·​i·​cate ˈpred-i-kət How to pronounce predicate (audio)
: the part of a sentence or clause that expresses what is said about the subject
"threw the ball" in "the child threw the ball" is the predicate
predicative
ˈpred-i-kət-iv How to pronounce predicate (audio)
ˈpred-ə-ˌkāt-
adjective

predicate

2 of 3 verb
pred·​i·​cate ˈpred-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce predicate (audio)
predicated; predicating
: base entry 2 sense 2
your theory is predicated on the belief that ghosts exist
predication
ˌpred-ə-ˈkā-shən
noun

predicate

3 of 3 adjective
pred·​i·​cate ˈpred-i-kət How to pronounce predicate (audio)
: belonging to the predicate
especially : completing the meaning of a linking verb
hot in "the sun is hot" is a predicate adjective
compare attributive

Legal Definition

predicate

1 of 2 transitive verb
pred·​i·​cate ˈpre-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce predicate (audio)
predicated; predicating
: to set or ground on something : find a basis for
usually used with on
Jurisdiction over the lawsuit was predicated on the California contactsDaimler AG v. Bauman, 571 U.S. ___ (2014)

predicate

2 of 2 adjective
pred·​i·​cate ˈpre-di-kət How to pronounce predicate (audio)
1
: occurring prior to and providing the basis or part of the basis for a conviction for another offense (as a RICO offense)
predicate acts
2
: occurring prior to and providing the basis for sentence enhancement upon conviction for a later offense
predicate noun

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