Definition

1. Noun:
   • An assumption or belief that is taken for granted or considered true before having complete knowledge or evidence: A presupposition is something that is supposed or assumed beforehand, often serving as the basis for an argument, statement, or action.
   • In logic and linguistics, a background condition that must be satisfied for a statement to be meaningful or for a question to be answerable: It refers to an implicit assumption that underlies an utterance.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

Advanced Usage

• Logical Presupposition: A condition that must be true for a statement to have a truth value (i.e., to be either true or false).
• Conversational Presupposition: An assumption a speaker treats as commonly accepted or non-controversial within a conversation.

Variants and Related Words

• Presuppose (verb): To require or involve as a necessary prior condition; to assume beforehand.
• Presuppositional (adjective): Of or relating to a presupposition.

Synonyms

• Assumption: Something accepted as true without proof.
• Premise: A statement or idea that forms the basis for a theory or argument.
• Presumption: A belief based on reasonable evidence or probability.

Related Phrases

• To make a presupposition: To assume something beforehand.
• To challenge a presupposition: To question or dispute a foundational assumption.

Noun

1. the act of presupposing; a supposition made prior to having knowledge (as for the purpose of argument)