What does presupposition mean?
A presupposition is something that is assumed to be true in order for a statement, question, or argument to make sense. It is not necessarily an explicit claim; rather, it is information a reader or listener is expected to accept. For example, the question “When will the committee approve the plan?” presupposes that there is a plan and that the committee will consider approving it. Presuppositions are important in linguistics because they reveal what a sentence treats as settled, even when it does not state that directly. They are also important in argument and rhetoric, where an unexamined assumption can support a conclusion that is otherwise questionable. The word is formal and technical, especially in philosophy, linguistics, and logic, although it can describe any background belief taken for granted.
nounA proposition or assumption that is taken to be true in order for a statement or argument to make sense. In linguistics, a presupposition is information that a statement implicitly assumes rather than explicitly asserts.
- A proposition or assumption taken to be true as the basis for a statement, argument, or conclusion.
- In linguistics, information that a sentence implicitly assumes rather than explicitly asserts.
- A prior belief or expectation that is taken for granted in a particular discussion or situation.
"The sentence “The book that John read was fascinating” presupposes that John read a book."
"The argument rests on several questionable presuppositions."
"The question presupposes that the proposed rescue mission will succeed."
The plural is used for individual assumptions or propositions that are taken to be true in statements or arguments.
"The article identifies several presuppositions in the proposed explanation."
Presuppositions hide inside questions: asking whether a book was read already assumes that someone read it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of presupposition
The word comes from Latin praesuppositio, a noun formed from praesupponere, meaning “to suppose in advance.” English borrowed it in the 17th century in the sense of an assumption made beforehand. Its cognates include supposition and proposition, both related to the placing or stating of a proposition, and presuppose, which preserves the original sense of assuming something in advance.
Related word forms
How presupposition is actually used
Most common in philosophy, linguistics, logic, and academic argument. In everyday English, it is more formal than “assumption” and can suggest that an underlying belief is being treated as true without adequate examination.
Easily confused with presupposition
A supposition is an idea or proposition considered as a possibility, whereas a presupposition is an assumption required for a statement or argument to be meaningful.