premise

noun

prem·​ise ˈpre-məs 

variants or less commonly premiss

1

logic

a

: a proposition supposed or proved prior as a basis of argument or inference

specifically : either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn

In a valid argument, if the premises are true, then the conclusion must also be true.

b

: something assumed or taken for granted : presupposition

The programs operate on the premise that customers will return if they're promised an extra reward, or freebie, for patronizing a business.

—Marina Strauss

2

: the primary plot or storyline of a literary work, television show, etc.

The premise of Mr. Lapine's book is that Cinderella, Jack, Red Ridinghood, and Rapunzel all live in the vicinity of an enchanted wood.

—Mimi Kramer

The first season of Weeds didn't give me a buzz. The premise—a recently widowed suburban mom sets up a marijuana dealership so she can pay the mortgage—seemed contrived and too cute …

—Tom Gliatto

3

premises also premisses plural : matters previously stated

specifically, law : the preliminary and explanatory part of a deed or of a bill in equity

4

premises also premisses plural [from its being identified in the premises of the deed]

a

: an area of land with the buildings that are on it

They were asked to leave the premises.

Ensure your home is securely locked when vacating the premises.

—Fort Worth Star-Telegram

b

: a building or part of a building usually with its appurtenances (such as grounds)

Synonyms of premise

• assumption
• theory

Examples of premise in a Sentence

Called behavioral ecology, it starts from the premise that social and environmental forces select for various behaviors that optimize people's fitness in a given environment. Different environment, different behaviors—and different human "natures." —Sharon Begley, Newsweek, 29 June 2009

Although the Voting Rights Act served, in some measure, to formalize the notion of racial representation, its consequences undermined its premise—that a transparency of interests existed between the representative and the represented. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New Yorker, 24 Oct. 1994

Thirty years ago the modesty of the general expectation was still consistent with the original American premise of self-government. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, November 1992

They were asked to leave the premises.

The company leases part of the premises to smaller businesses.

The premises were searched by the police.

He disagreed with her premise.

the basic premises of the argument

a theory based on the simple premise that what goes up must come down

Recent Examples on the Web

The premise means that almost the entire episode is free of dialogue, with the characters communicating by writing on chalkboards and gesturing. —ArsTechnica, 7 June 2026

Ensure your home is securely locked when vacating the premises. —Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2026

That said, the premise itself is one of the show's biggest departures from reality. —Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026

Ensure your home is securely locked when vacating the premises. —Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, from Middle English premisse, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, feminine of praemissus, past participle of praemittere to place ahead, from prae- pre- + mittere to send; in other senses, from Middle English premisses, from Medieval Latin praemissa, from Latin, neuter plural of praemissus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing premise

• major premise
• minor premise

Kids Definition

premise

1 of 2 noun

prem·​ise ˈprem-əs 

1

: a statement taken to be true and used as a basis for argument or reasoning

2

plural

a

: a piece of land with the buildings on it

b

: a building or part of a building usually with its grounds

premise

2 of 2 verb

pre·​mise ˈprem-əs 

pri-ˈmīz

premised; premising

: to base on certain assumptions

a conclusion premised on stereotypes