presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv 
1
: based on probability or presumption
the presumptive nominee/winner
see also heir presumptive
2
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief
A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent is considered presumptive evidence of drunken driving in Louisiana for those 21 and older.—
Joe Gyan Jr.
Joe Gyan Jr.He was admitted to the hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of cellulitis.—Mary Jo Bonner
Mary Jo Bonner… health departments in 20 states reported 100 presumptive or confirmed human cases of arboviral disease …—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association3
: being an embryonic precursor with the potential for forming a particular structure or tissue in the normal course of development
presumptive retina
presumptively
adverb
Examples of presumptive in a Sentence
in that climate of fear, an accusation alone was presumptive evidence of guilt
Recent Examples on the Web
Some argued that, given the presumptive unethical taint of such collections, human remains should be buried or otherwise respectfully disposed of.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
In July 2024, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Trump was grazed on the ear by one of a hail of bullets that killed a supporter.
—Tim Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
According to investigators, the medical records showed that an amphetamine urine screen was abnormal and presumptive positive.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
For someone living with a condition that is still routinely dismissed or met with disbelief, having the presumptive head of the Department of Health and Human Services not only acknowledge Long Covid, but agree to promote research on it sounds too good to be true.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptive
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Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
In July 2024, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Trump was grazed on the ear by one of a hail of bullets that killed a supporter.
—Tim Sullivan, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
According to investigators, the medical records showed that an amphetamine urine screen was abnormal and presumptive positive.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
For someone living with a condition that is still routinely dismissed or met with disbelief, having the presumptive head of the Department of Health and Human Services not only acknowledge Long Covid, but agree to promote research on it sounds too good to be true.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presumptive
Cite this Entry
“Presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptive. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv
1
: expected to develop in a particular direction under normal conditions
presumptive regions of the blastula
2
: being the embryonic precursor of
presumptive neural tissue
3
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion
a presumptive diagnosis of dengue
presumptive or confirmed cases of communicable disease
Legal Definition
presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəmp-tiv
1
: based on presumption : presumed to have occurred
a presumptive violation of law
2
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief
presumptively
adverb
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