Definition of predicate
1a : something that is affirmed or denied of the subject in a proposition in logicb : 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
predicatively
adverbExplore Merriam-Webster
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Examples of predicate in a Sentence
In the sentence “The child threw the ball,” the subject is “the child” and the predicate is “threw the ball.”
Origin and Etymology of predicate
Middle English, from Late Latin praedicatum, from neuter of praedicatus
First Known Use: 15th century
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
Definition of predicate
predicated
;predicating
Examples of predicate in a Sentence
she has predicated her theory on recent findings by other astronomers
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."
Origin and Etymology of predicate
Late Latin praedicatus, past participle of praedicare to assert, predicate logically, preach, from Latin, to proclaim, assert — more at preach
First Known Use: circa 1552
Definition of predicate
: completing the meaning of a copula predicate adjective predicate noun
Examples of predicate in a Sentence
In “the sun is hot,” “hot” is a predicate adjective.
1887
First Known Use of predicate
1887
Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms
PREDICATE Defined for English Language Learners
predicate
playDefinition of predicate for English Language Learners
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grammar : the part of a sentence that expresses what is said about the subject
predicate
playDefinition of predicate for English Language Learners
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: to base (something) on or upon something else
predicate
playDefinition of predicate for English Language Learners
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grammar : used after a linking verb to describe a noun that comes before the verb
PREDICATE Defined for Kids
Definition of predicate for Students
: the part of a sentence or clause that tells what is said about the subject “Rang” in “the doorbell rang” is the predicate.
Definition of predicate for Students
: completing the meaning of a linking verb “Sweet” in “the sugar is sweet” is a predicate adjective.
Law Dictionary
Legal Definition of predicate
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 contacts — Daimler AG v. Bauman, 571 U.S. ___ (2014)
Legal Definition of predicate
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
nounLearn More about predicate
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See words that rhyme with predicate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for predicate Spanish Central: Translation of predicate Nglish: Translation of predicate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of predicate for Arabic speakers
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