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

Assumption : August 15 observed in commemoration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

5

: the taking over of another's debts

6

: arrogance, pretension

Synonyms of assumption

• theory
• premise
• hypothesis
• belief
• presumption
• presupposition
• hypothetical
• given
• postulate
• supposition

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

Recent Examples on the Web

In a world that recognizes a wide range of gender identities and acknowledges attraction across those boundaries, the old mainstream assumption that same-sex facilities were inherently asexual—and therefore appropriate settings for nudity—no longer holds. —Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025

Traditional credit assumes that debt is inevitable and profits from that assumption. —Nick Molnar, Fortune, 13 Nov. 2025

Preller evidently believes Stammen, primarily a reliever during his 13-year career—the last six with the Padres—has some magic elixir that will help San Diego win its first World Series, but history doesn’t support that assumption. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Were those people now passing on their mistaken assumptions to others, who in turn were misunderstanding them and acting on them? —Big Think, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin assumption-, assumptio taking up, from Latin assumere — see assume

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Phrases Containing assumption

• on/under/with the assumption
• self-assumption

Rhymes for assumption

• consumption
• presumption
• resumption
• subsumption
• gumption
• sumption

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