posit
Americanverb (used with object)
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to place, put, or set.
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to lay down or assume as a fact or principle; postulate.
noun
verb
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to assume or put forward as fact or the factual basis for an argument; postulate
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to put in position
noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing posit
"This Is Water" by David Foster Wallace
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"What Is Cultural Identity?"
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Big Science
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Martin, who made himself a household name in the States with English-language songs like “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “She Bangs,” never tried to posit himself as a revolutionary.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026
But, given that Grande and NBCUniversal campaigned just as fiercely, I’m once again inclined to posit that the sequel’s dreadful reputation soured Grande’s chances.
From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026
Some are just ridiculous, as when advocates posit that the best way to evaluate an event’s likelihood is to see what gamblers with “skin in the game” are thinking about it.
From Slate • Jan. 6, 2026
Strategists at 22V Research posit the rising 30-year yield is more reflective of longer-term fiscal and inflation risks than the fed-funds rate.
From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025
It’s not much of a stretch to posit that such a rash of misfortune dealt a serious blow to Waterman’s young psyche.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
