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proposal

noun
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pro·​pos·​al | \ prə-ˈpō-zəl How to pronounce proposal (audio) \

Definition of proposal

1 : an act of putting forward or stating something for consideration
2a : something proposed : suggestion
b : offer specifically : an offer of marriage
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about proposal

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web This proposal would allow require the AIA to let the southern Arizona schools schedule their own games. — Richard Obert, The Arizona Republic, "Tucson-area high school coaches propose own fall football season with later start date," 4 Sep. 2020 Funding for the proposal, if supported by the Bexar County Commissioners Court, would come from the $79.6 million federal relief fund allocation for the county. — Scott Huddleston, ExpressNews.com, "Bexar County commissioner fears possible fall coronavirus surge; wants more funds for rapid testing," 2 Sep. 2020 For the proposal to pass, a majority of the committee members need to agree; votes are due by tomorrow morning at 10 am. — Annabelle Timsit, Quartz, "China’s diplomatic visit to The Netherlands won’t be as drama-free as it hoped," 25 Aug. 2020 Bernie Sanders’ Medicare for All proposal set a standard that other candidates vied to match, while simultaneously striving to not commit to as generous a plan. — Libby Watson, The New Republic, "Health Care Reform Is Being Slashed Into Oblivion," 21 Aug. 2020 Under this proposal, funding for nonprofits would increase from $250,000 to $2 million. — Henry Gass, The Christian Science Monitor, "How do you ‘defund the police’ in Texas? Very carefully.," 21 Aug. 2020 The Lake County Plan Commission unanimously approved an ordinance that would require public hearings for any solar farm project proposal in the county. — Alexandra Kukulka, chicagotribune.com, "Plan commission approves solar farm ordinance, but residents believe requirements will make public hearings meaningless," 20 Aug. 2020 This proposal has been met with longstanding critics, including those who spoke at the virtual Tuesday meeting in opposition of the vote. — Joshua Bote, USA TODAY, "More than 750 million genetically modified mosquitoes to be released into Florida Keys," 20 Aug. 2020 Houlahan said the city should have sent out a request for proposal to other trash service providers, and possibly could have gotten a better deal. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Santee to keep Waste Management as trash services provider for 10 years," 20 Aug. 2020

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.

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First Known Use of proposal

circa 1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for proposal

Time Traveler

The first known use of proposal was circa 1629

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Statistics for proposal

Last Updated

10 Sep 2020

Cite this Entry

“Proposal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proposal. Accessed 20 Sep. 2020.

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More Definitions for proposal

proposal

noun
How to pronounce proposal (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of proposal

: 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

See the full definition for proposal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

proposal

noun
pro·​pos·​al | \ prə-ˈpō-zəl How to pronounce proposal (audio) \

Kids Definition of proposal

1 : an act of stating or putting forward something for consideration Problems led to the proposal of a new law.
2 : something suggested : plan
3 : an offer of marriage

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More from Merriam-Webster on proposal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for proposal

Nglish: Translation of proposal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of proposal for Arabic Speakers

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