presuppose

verb

pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz 

presupposed; presupposing; presupposes

transitive verb

1

: to suppose beforehand

2

: to require as an antecedent in logic or fact

presupposition

(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzi-shən 

noun

presuppositional

(ˌ)prē-ˌsə-pə-ˈzish-nəl 

-ˈzi-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• assume
• hypothecate
• hypothesize
• postulate
• premise
• presume
• say
• suppose

Examples of presuppose in a Sentence

The rule presupposes a need to restrict student access to the library.

the book presupposes its readers will already know something about the subject

Recent Examples on the Web

Although the same dimensions of character underpin business and religious leadership, these dimensions of character do not presuppose a specific set of values, beliefs, policies, or perspectives. —Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Many of a citizen’s fundamental decisions—whether to vote, whether to follow the law—presuppose a democratically legitimate state. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

If Braun can ever be healthy, and this ranking presupposes that, Minnesota has so many long, versatile forwards/wings and is a modern basketball fan’s dream. —Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

This presupposes a whole number of other technologies, some of which were fairly esoteric prior to the AI boom; for example, digital twins and synthetic data. —Ruth Foxe Blader, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French presupposer, from Medieval Latin praesupponere (perfect indicative praesupposui), from Latin prae- + Medieval Latin supponere to suppose — more at suppose

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for presuppose

• agarose
• aliquots
• amigos
• anthracnose
• bottlenose
• buffaloes
• bungalows
• calicoes
• cameos
• commandos
• conversos
• decompose

Kids Definition

presuppose

verb

pre·​sup·​pose ˌprē-sə-ˈpōz 

: to take something to be true : suppose ahead of time

the book presupposes its readers will know something about the subject

presupposition

(ˌ)prē-ˌsəp-ə-ˈzish-ən 

noun