prima facie

adverb

pri·ma fa·cie | \ ˌprī-mə-ˈfā-shə

, -shē, -sē also -shē-ˌē, -sē-ˌē\

Definition of prima facie

(Entry 1 of 2)

: at first view : on the first appearance

prima facie

adjective

Definition of prima facie (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : true, valid, or sufficient at first impression : apparent the theory … gives a prima facie solution— R. J. Butler

2 : self-evident

3 : legally sufficient to establish a fact or a case unless disproved prima facie evidence

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Examples of prima facie in a Sentence

Adjective

a prima facie case of tax fraud challenged the assertion that the dearth of women on the staff constituted a prima facie case of sexual discrimination

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

This makes the tripling of U.S. exports to France in the last decade an achievement to be celebrated, rather than prima facie evidence of some anti-American conspiracy. — Geoffrey Smith, Fortune, "Trump Wants To 'Do Something' About EU Wine Tariffs. But U.S. Producers Have Bigger Problems—in China," 13 June 2019 The Indian government offers prima facie recognition for two refugee groups – Tibetans and Sri Lankan Tamils – because of historic religious and ethnic connections, and recently proposed to give Tibetans more welfare benefits. — Rina Chandran, The Christian Science Monitor, "After fleeing violence in Myanmar, Rohingya refugees struggle in India," 11 May 2018 The idea there is a prima facie national benefit in having senators from both parties agreeing to a dubious policy is almost childlike in its view of history. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "'Bipartisan' Does Not Inherently Mean 'Good'," 7 Mar. 2018 Exports are good and imports are bad in Trumponomics, and a trade deficit is prima facie evidence that the other side has acted in bad faith. — Bloomberg.com, "Trump’s Hard-Line Take on Trade Plays Into China’s Hands," 8 Mar. 2018 Failure to conform, in any society, is treated in casual parlance as prima facie evidence of insanity. — Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "When the Truth Is Crazy," 1 Sep. 2017 For one thing, the Russian effort to run a negative campaign against Clinton and promote Trump is a prima facie campaign contribution and, thus, a flagrant violation of U.S. election law that explicitly bars foreign donations. — Will Bunch, Philly.com, "Meet the 'Philly Central High grad' who was really a Russian troll helping Trump win," 12 Sep. 2017 Quite the contrary: Its acute interest in self-preservation is demonstrated prima facie by the fact of its very survival, over 25 years after the demise of the USSR and Eastern European socialism. — Nicholas Eberstadt, National Review, "To Neutralize the North Korean Threat, America Must First Understand the North Korean Regime," 11 Sep. 2017 That somebody even came up with this idea is prima facie evidence that somebody’s tricorn is on much too tight. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "Good Idea, Republicans. Let's See How This One Plays Out.," 8 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prima facie.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of prima facie was circa 1500

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More Definitions for prima facie

prima facie

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of prima facie

law : based on what is known or seen when something is first considered or dealt with

See the full definition for prima facie in the English Language Learners Dictionary

prima facie

adverb

pri·ma fa·cie | \ ˈprī-mə-ˈfā-shə, -sē, -shē

Legal Definition of prima facie

(Entry 1 of 2)

: at first view : on first appearance absent other information or evidence guidelines which would prima facie accredit new entrance examinations as nondiscriminatory— S. L. Lynch — compare ex facie