proposal

noun pro·pos·al \ prə-ˈpō-zəl \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Examples: proposal in a Sentence

Definition of proposal

1 : an act of putting forward or stating something for consideration

2 a : something proposed : suggestion

b : offer; specifically : an offer of marriage

See proposal defined for English-language learners

See proposal defined for kids

Examples of proposal in a Sentence

Everyone thought the proposal made sense.
The committee is reviewing the proposal for the new restaurant.
They put forth a proposal to sell the company.
These problems have led to the proposal of a new law.

Recent Examples of proposal from the Web

The campaign-season tumult erupted as GOP leaders put finishing touches on a pair of Republican bills: a hard-right proposal and a middle-ground plan negotiated by the party's conservative and moderate wings, with White House input.

— CBS News, "White House says Trump supports "moderate" GOP immigration bill after confusion," 16 June 2018
The group also endorsed a proposal from researchers at UC Berkeley as an alternative to repealing Costa-Hawkins.

— liam dillon, latimes.com, "Californians will make a big decision on rent control in November," 16 June 2018
Residents will also be able to voice concerns before a revised proposal goes back to the plan commission.

— jordyn noennig, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Developers will hold listening session for $85 million Pewaukee development," 15 June 2018
In May, McDonald’s shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal asking the company for a report about the business risks associated with plastic straws.

— craig giammona, Bloomberg.com, "McDonald's Taps Paper Straws in U.K. to Trim Down Plastic Waste," 15 June 2018
That followed a Republican proposal last week to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would require all voters to display a photo ID before casting votes.

— michael wines, New York Times, "North Carolina Republicans Are Back With a New Plan for Strict Voter Laws," 15 June 2018
In May, McDonald’s shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal asking the company for a report about the business risks associated with plastic straws.

— Fortune, "McDonald's to Phase Out Plastic Straws in the U.K. to Limit Plastic Waste," 15 June 2018
The regulatory process has just begun, but all indications suggest the Trump administration will put forward a more farm-friendly proposal than what’s been proposed by immigration hardliners in the House.

— emily cadei, sacbee, "Trump administration pushes changes to farmworker visa," 15 June 2018
The Treasury Department is scheduled to release a proposal for limits on Chinese investment on June 30.

— lingling wei, WSJ, "China Issues Retaliatory Tariffs as Trade Fight Heats Up," 15 June 2018

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

First Known Use of proposal

circa 1629

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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proposal Synonyms

Synonyms

offer, proffer, proposition, suggestion;

feeler, overture;

motion;

advancement, nomination, recommendation;

bid, presentation, submission, submittal, tender;

arrangement, game, ground plan, layout, line, plan, plot, project, strategy, system;

conception, idea, notion, theory, thought;

PROPOSAL Defined for English Language Learners

proposal

noun

Definition of proposal for English Language Learners

: something (such as a plan or suggestion) that is presented to a person or group of people to consider
: the act of presenting a plan, suggestion, etc., to a person or group of people
: the act of asking someone to marry you