axiom

American  

[ak-see-uhm] / ˈæk si əm /

noun

1. a self-evident truth that requires no proof.

2. a universally accepted principle or rule.

3. Logic, Mathematics. a proposition that is assumed without proof for the sake of studying the consequences that follow from it.

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axiom British  

/ ˈæksɪəm /

noun

1. a generally accepted proposition or principle, sanctioned by experience; maxim

2. a universally established principle or law that is not a necessary truth

   the axioms of politics

3. a self-evident statement

4. logic maths a statement or formula that is stipulated to be true for the purpose of a chain of reasoning: the foundation of a formal deductive system Compare assumption

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axiom Scientific  

/ ăk′sē-əm /

1. A principle that is accepted as true without proof. The statement “For every two points P and Q there is a unique line that contains both P and Q” is an axiom because no other information is given about points or lines, and therefore it cannot be proven.

2. Also called postulate

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axiom Cultural  

1. In mathematics, a statement that is unproved but accepted as a basis for other statements, usually because it seems so obvious.

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Discover More

The term axiomatic is used generally to refer to a statement so obvious that it needs no proof.

Etymology

Origin of axiom

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin axiōma, from Greek: “something worthy,” equivalent to axiō-, variant stem of axioûn “to reckon worthy” + -ma, noun suffix

Example Sentences

A fundamental axiom of economics is that when two individuals or countries trade, both are better off.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s an axiom in football that if your quarterback isn’t the toughest guy on your team, you’re in trouble.

From Los Angeles Times

But the math professor who’s now working for a math startup did share one of his own axioms.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pathway has identified what Stamirowska calls equations of reasoning, fundamental mathematical axioms that explain how intelligence emerges from smaller, local interactions in the brain, she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I call it an axiom of emotions. No matter how artificial something might be, the emotions are always true.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adage
• aphorism
• dictum
• maxim
• precept
• proverb
• theorem