assumption
noun
as·sump·tion
ə-ˈsəm(p)-shən 
1
: a taking to or upon oneself
the assumption of a new position
2
: the act of laying claim to or taking possession of something
the assumption of power
3
a
: an assuming that something is true
a mistaken assumption
b
: a fact or statement (such as a proposition, axiom (see axiom sense 2), postulate, or notion) taken for granted
4
a
: the taking up of a person into heaven
b
capitalized
: August 15 observed in commemoration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
5
: the taking over of another's debts
6
Synonyms
Examples of assumption in a Sentence
I made the assumption that he was coming, so I was surprised when he didn't show up.
He will come home tomorrow. At least, that's my assumption.
Many scientific assumptions about Mars were wrong.
I'm telling you our arrival time on the assumption that you will check to see whether or not our flight is on time before you come to the airport.
Her plan is based on the underlying assumption that the economy will improve in the near future.
her assumption of the presidency
the buyer's assumption of debt
Recent Examples on the Web
Other assumptions continue to change as researchers gather more information.
—
Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2024
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include the intent, belief, or expectations of the Company and members of its management team concerning the Company's future business operations and the assumptions upon which such statements are based.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2024
That encryption needs to withstand attacks from codebreakers with their own computers, so modern encryption methods rely on assumptions about what mathematical problems are hard for computers to solve.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2024
As companies and governments have made progress in recent decades to close the gender pay gap, young female entrants to the workforce might have felt safe in the assumption that the glass ceiling had been smashed.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for assumption 
Stephanie Hanes, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2024
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include the intent, belief, or expectations of the Company and members of its management team concerning the Company's future business operations and the assumptions upon which such statements are based.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2024
That encryption needs to withstand attacks from codebreakers with their own computers, so modern encryption methods rely on assumptions about what mathematical problems are hard for computers to solve.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 3 June 2024
As companies and governments have made progress in recent decades to close the gender pay gap, young female entrants to the workforce might have felt safe in the assumption that the glass ceiling had been smashed.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 3 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for assumption
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assumption.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near assumption
Cite this Entry
“Assumption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assumption. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
assumption
noun
as·sump·tion
ə-ˈsəm(p)-shən
1
capitalized
: August 15 observed as a church festival to mark the taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven
2
a
: the act of taking upon oneself or taking possession of something
3
a
: the belief that something is true
b
: a fact or statement taken for granted
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