What does premise mean?
A premise is a statement, assumption, or condition taken as the starting point of an argument, discussion, plan, or action. In formal logic, a premise is a proposition from which a conclusion is inferred, and the plural 'premises' often refers to the set of assumptions supporting a conclusion. In everyday use, the word commonly appears in expressions such as 'on the premise that,' where a plan or decision is introduced as depending on a particular belief or circumstance. The term can also mean the place or setting in which a business or event occurs, as in 'the company moved to new premises.' Its usefulness lies in making the foundations of an argument or decision explicit: identifying a weak or false premise can reveal a problem with everything built upon it.
A statement, proposition, or assumption accepted as the basis of an argument, discussion, plan, or action; in logic, a proposition from which a conclusion is drawn.
"The report challenges the premise that economic growth will continue indefinitely."
The plural 'premises' is especially common in formal logic and can also mean the place or setting where a business or activity occurs.
To take or establish something as a premise; to found or base something on a stated assumption.
"The entire strategy premises itself on the assumption that customers will value convenience over price."
This use is less common than the noun and is mainly formal or technical.
In formal logic, 'premises' refers to the propositions from which a conclusion is derived. It can also mean the building or grounds in which a business or event takes place.
"The argument is valid, but its premises have not been established."
A premise is the hinge of an argument: if it is false, even a clever conclusion can collapse.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does premise come from?
The word comes through Middle English from Latin praemissum, the neuter past participle of praemittere, meaning 'to send before.' In medieval Latin, the term referred to a statement put before someone, and it was later adopted in logic for a proposition assumed as the basis of an argument. Related Latin forms include 'premiss' and compounds such as 'preamble' and 'premium'; modern forms preserve the sense of something set out in advance.
Related word forms
How premise is actually used
In formal logic, the plural is commonly used: a conclusion follows from premises. In general usage, 'premise' often means an assumption, while 'premises' can mean the grounds or property on which an activity takes place.
Easily confused with premise
A premise is an underlying assumption or proposition, whereas a promise is a commitment that something will be done.