posit

American  

[poz-it] / ˈpɒz ɪt /

verb (used with object)

1. to place, put, or set.

2. to lay down or assume as a fact or principle; postulate.

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noun

1. something that is posited; an assumption; postulate.

posit British  

/ ˈpɒzɪt /

verb

1. to assume or put forward as fact or the factual basis for an argument; postulate

2. to put in position

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noun

1. a fact, idea, etc, that is posited; assumption

Etymology

Origin of posit

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin positus, past participle of pōnere “to place, put”

Explanation

To posit something is to assume or suggest that it is true. You can posit an idea or opinion. When you posit, you submit an idea or give an opinion. Scientists posit many ideas — called hypotheses — that they then try to prove or disprove through experimentation and research. In science, you hear about positing a lot, and the same is true in math and logic. When you say "If X, then Y" you're positing a proposition. Positing can also mean to put something somewhere firmly — this means to deposit, fix, or situate.

Example Sentences

The particular exercise, described as “speed training,” is part of a package that were sold to a San Francisco-based company called Posit Science.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 11, 2026

The study was conducted independently by McGill researchers in collaboration with Posit Science, which provided access to BrainHQ.

From Science Daily • Oct. 29, 2025

Posit a coronavirus, for which this bat serves as reservoir host.

From New York Times • Sep. 19, 2020

Posit, for the sake of discussion, that back in 2004 Abizaid was onto something -- as indeed he was.

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2018

Sublate, sub-lāt′, v.t. to deny—opp. to Posit: to remove.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Related Words

• hypothesize
• postulate
• presuppose