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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
adverbPeople Are Reading
predicate was our Word of the Day on 05/03/2015. Hear the podcast!
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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.”
Recent Examples of predicate from the Web
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Some American officials had hoped to use the secret negotiations to obtain Mr. Warmbier’s release as the predicate for a dialogue with the North on other issues.
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What is the predicate for his actions in releasing this statement?
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But the predicate for Trump policy is that strategic patience, the policy of the Obama administration, your administration, failed, so something else has to be tried.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predicate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of predicate
Middle English, from Late Latin praedicatum, from neuter of praedicatus
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
Recent Examples of predicate from the Web
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The deal, when announced last autumn, was predicated on a recovery in the oil price to $60 per barrel by 2019, an increase that now seems less likely with a glut of crude still circling the globe and keeping prices below $50.
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The Hansen proposal, meanwhile, is predicated largely on getting teams first, completing the project’s financing and then starting to build.
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White House officials cautioned that the move is still not final, and that the shake-up is predicated on filling at least some of the vacant positions, which include communications director, deputy press secretary, and director of surrogates—
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The business model is predicated on a two-way interactive bidding platform that creates transparency in price, quality, and communication of a car service or repair need.
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State prosecutors eventually agreed to turn three counts of simple burglary into one, and negotiated a sentencing range of four to 12 years predicated on his courtroom testimony.
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The Heat approach rarely has been predicated on draft picks, with that direction (or lack thereof) practically dictated by the Dragic trade.
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Our recommendation to stick with the broad-scoped commodity fund was predicated on the risk level.
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Wouldn’t every norm predicated on our inevitable deaths break down, including all the world’s religions?
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predicate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
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.
Recent Examples of predicate from the Web
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A predicate crime wasn’t required in order to ruin Scooter Libby’s career or send septuagenarian Joe Bonanno to prison.
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Indiana’s 21st Century Scholar and Frank O’Brian Grant, both approved by the Indiana General Assembly in 2013, also predicate funding on earning 30 credits.
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Currently, the FDA’s rules have a predicate date giving it authority over all vaping products introduced since Feb. 15, 2007, or virtually all vaping products on the market.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'predicate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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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