presumption

noun

pre·​sump·​tion pri-ˈzəm(p)-shən 

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

Synonyms of presumption

• gall
• nerve
• arrogance
• confidence
• presumptuousness
• audacity
• assurance

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

Impact The initial phase of contract talks still would have union and county representatives seeking to hammer out a mutually beneficial deal, with a presumption that both sides would negotiate in good faith. — Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

These presumptions shifted the world’s discourse from how to limit carbon pollution to how to remove it from the atmosphere after the fact. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026

Cordoba Archbishop Ángel Rossi invoked the priest’s presumption of innocence when questioned about the case. — ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

District 210’s problems began with a fateful decision in the mid-2000s by Wyllie and the district to build two new high schools under the presumption of a population boom. — Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing presumption

• on the presumption that

Rhymes for presumption

• assumption
• consumption
• resumption
• subsumption
• gumption
• sumption

Kids Definition

presumption

noun

pre·​sump·​tion pri-ˈzəm(p)-shən 

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 

: 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