noun

presumption

prih-ZUMP-shun/prɪˈzʌmpʃn/

An assumption accepted as true without direct proof.

The person takes the coat on the presumption of being its owner.

An adult confidently takes a similar coat without checking its tag while the actual owner looks surprised; belief accepted without proof.

Etymology

preLatinbefore

+sumptLatinto take

+ionLatinact or result

The underlying image is “taking beforehand”: accepting something before it has been established. From the act of taking something for granted, presumption came to name the belief accepted in that way.

In context

The Mandarin AU21:27

There is a presumption in Australia much more than any other country I've worked with or in that policy is just what the minister or government of the day says and it's simply not true.

Webinar: Measurable impact: Bringing The Policy Playbook's framework to life

More examples

The defendant has a legal presumption of innocence.
I booked two seats on the presumption that you'd join me.
The new evidence challenges several presumptions about the accident.

Forms

presumption · presumptions

presume verb — To accept as true without direct proof.

presumptive adjective — Based on an assumption rather than proof.

Similar words

assumption: A broader term, including ideas adopted temporarily for convenience.
supposition: Often suggests a tentative possibility rather than an accepted belief.