proposal

noun pro·pos·al \ prə-ˈpō-zəl \

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

A proposal to create another entry point to the park won a Public Space Challenge grant from the Miami Foundation.

— linda robertson, miamiherald, "Instead of paving paradise with a parking lot, these folks are beautifying ugly spaces," 29 Aug. 2017
This fall, the space agency will select a few proposals for further study, and the final selection will be made sometime in 2019.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Push for a Helicopter Drone to Explore Saturn's Moon Titan," 24 Aug. 2017
Two weeks ago, the House approved Trump’s proposal to spend $1.6 billion on the wall.

— raúl carrillo, alan aja, Teen Vogue, "The Immorality of Trump's Border Wall, Explained," 23 Aug. 2017
Brooks said the commission has not yet received a relocation proposal, and Kenny Bishop, a spokesman for Gray, said Monday there are no updates in the search for a new location.

— justin sayers, The Courier-Journal, "Removal of Lexington's Confederate statues ultimately up to military personnel, historians," 22 Aug. 2017
The proposal will cover differences between businesses such as a foreign supplier failing to deliver, as well as divorce and child custody issues, Davis’s office said.

— charlotte ryan, Bloomberg.com, "EU Insists on Orderly Brexit as U.K. Battles for Upper Hand," 21 Aug. 2017
NSF is reviewing proposals, due on 21 August, that would deal with a $3.5 million gap between the $13.5 million cost of operating the ship and the $10 million that NSF is willing to pay.

— paul voosen, Science | AAAS, "U.S. marine seismologists fear loss of research ship," 21 Aug. 2017
Proposals from two prospective buyers were received and reviewed by attorney Joe Irak, who has been handling the sale of the land for commissioners.

— carrie napoleon, Post-Tribune, "Commissioners weigh offers for county land in Crown Point," 17 Aug. 2017
Abbott himself is pinning the failure of his retrograde proposals on Straus.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Human Bowling Jacket Paul LePage Equates Confederate Statues with 9/11 Monuments," 17 Aug. 2017

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

proposal Synonyms

Synonyms

offer, proffer, proposition, suggestion

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

PROPOSAL Defined for Kids

proposal

noun pro·pos·al \ prə-ˈpō-zəl \

Definition of proposal for Students

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

Learn More about proposal

See words that rhyme with proposal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for proposal Spanish Central: Translation of proposal Nglish: Translation of proposal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of proposal for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up proposal? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

proposal

Definition of proposal

Examples of proposal in a Sentence

Recent Examples of proposal from the Web

First Known Use of proposal

proposal Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

PROPOSAL Defined for English Language Learners

proposal

Definition of proposal for English Language Learners

PROPOSAL Defined for Kids

proposal

Definition of proposal for Students

Learn More about proposal

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

nuncupative

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Dictionary Devil

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

proposal

Definition of proposal

Explore Merriam-Webster

Examples of proposal in a Sentence

Recent Examples of proposal from the Web

First Known Use of proposal

proposal Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

PROPOSAL Defined for English Language Learners

proposal

Definition of proposal for English Language Learners

PROPOSAL Defined for Kids

proposal

Definition of proposal for Students

Learn More about proposal

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066