assumption
noun
as·sump·tion
ə-ˈsəm(p)-shən 
1
: a taking to or upon oneself
the assumption of a new position
2
: the act of laying claim to or taking possession of something
the assumption of power
3
a
: an assuming that something is true
a mistaken assumption
b
: a fact or statement (such as a proposition, axiom (see axiom sense 2), postulate, or notion) taken for granted
4
a
: the taking up of a person into heaven
b
capitalized
: August 15 observed in commemoration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
5
: the taking over of another's debts
6
Synonyms
Examples of assumption in a Sentence
I made the assumption that he was coming, so I was surprised when he didn't show up.
He will come home tomorrow. At least, that's my assumption.
Many scientific assumptions about Mars were wrong.
I'm telling you our arrival time on the assumption that you will check to see whether or not our flight is on time before you come to the airport.
Her plan is based on the underlying assumption that the economy will improve in the near future.
her assumption of the presidency
the buyer's assumption of debt
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
In doing so, the director offers up a subtle yet significant corrective to some of the dramatic oversights and patriarchal assumptions endemic to the great-man biopic.
—
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
The company’s share of profit from its joint-venture investments more than doubled in 2Q FY 2024, the brokerage says and lifts its assumption by 66% to THB452 million for company’s share of profit from investments for FY 2024.
—WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
But her assumptions were shattered when her father was shot while walking through a marketplace in Jerusalem's Old City.
—ABC News, 21 Nov. 2023
To avoid the worst, Washington will have to revisit its core assumptions, renew its commitment to the Middle East, and lay out a fresh vision for the region.
—Maria Fantappie and Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2023
Their models provided a range of scenarios meant to let the public and stakeholders interrogate their assumptions and to get answers and to push them to try different things.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Nov. 2023
Orsted’s decision to abandon its Ocean Wind I and II projects in southern New Jersey stems from a myriad of challenges, primarily driven by shifting economic dynamics that have upended assumptions made several years ago.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 17 Nov. 2023
The global financial crisis of 2007-08 had shattered official Chinese assumptions that Washington’s economic policymakers were competent, even if Beijing disagreed with them.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Self-limiting beliefs are assumptions about ourselves that hinder us from realizing our full potential.
—Anna Tan, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
See More
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
The company’s share of profit from its joint-venture investments more than doubled in 2Q FY 2024, the brokerage says and lifts its assumption by 66% to THB452 million for company’s share of profit from investments for FY 2024.
—WSJ, 21 Nov. 2023
But her assumptions were shattered when her father was shot while walking through a marketplace in Jerusalem's Old City.
—ABC News, 21 Nov. 2023
To avoid the worst, Washington will have to revisit its core assumptions, renew its commitment to the Middle East, and lay out a fresh vision for the region.
—Maria Fantappie and Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2023
Their models provided a range of scenarios meant to let the public and stakeholders interrogate their assumptions and to get answers and to push them to try different things.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Nov. 2023
Orsted’s decision to abandon its Ocean Wind I and II projects in southern New Jersey stems from a myriad of challenges, primarily driven by shifting economic dynamics that have upended assumptions made several years ago.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 17 Nov. 2023
The global financial crisis of 2007-08 had shattered official Chinese assumptions that Washington’s economic policymakers were competent, even if Beijing disagreed with them.
—Chris Buckley, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2023
Self-limiting beliefs are assumptions about ourselves that hinder us from realizing our full potential.
—Anna Tan, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assumption.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing assumption
Dictionary Entries Near assumption
Cite this Entry
“Assumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assumption. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
assumption
noun
as·sump·tion
ə-ˈsəm(p)-shən
1
capitalized
: August 15 observed as a church festival to mark the taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven
2
a
: the act of taking upon oneself or taking possession of something
3
a
: the belief that something is true
b
: a fact or statement taken for granted
More from Merriam-Webster on assumption
Nglish: Translation of assumption for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of assumption for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about assumption
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share