postulate

American  

[pos-chuh-leyt, pos-chuh-lit, -leyt] / ˈpɒs tʃəˌleɪt, ˈpɒs tʃə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

postulated, postulating

1. to ask, demand, or claim.

2. to claim or assume the existence or truth of, especially as a basis for reasoning or arguing.

3. to assume without proof, or as self-evident; take for granted.

   Synonyms:

   conjecture, presuppose, hypothecate

4. Mathematics, Logic. to assume as a postulate.

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noun

1. something taken as self-evident or assumed without proof as a basis for reasoning.

   Synonyms:

   conjecture, assumption, axiom, theory, hypothesis

2. Mathematics, Logic. a proposition that requires no proof, being self-evident, or that is for a specific purpose assumed true, and that is used in the proof of other propositions; axiom.

3. a fundamental principle.

4. a necessary condition; prerequisite.

postulate British  

verb

1. to assume to be true or existent; take for granted

2. to ask, demand, or claim

3. to nominate (a person) to a post or office subject to approval by a higher authority

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noun

1. something taken as self-evident or assumed as the basis of an argument

2. a necessary condition or prerequisite

3. a fundamental principle

4. logic maths an unproved and indemonstrable statement that should be taken for granted: used as an initial premise or underlying hypothesis in a process of reasoning

postulate Scientific  

/ pŏs′chə-lĭt /

1. See axiom

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postulate Cultural  

1. A statement accepted as true for the purposes of argument or scientific investigation; also, a basic principle. (See axiom.)

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Other Word Forms

• postulation noun
• postulational adjective
• repostulate verb (used with object)
• repostulation noun
• unpostulated adjective

Etymology

Origin of postulate

1525–35; < Latin postulātum petition, thing requested, noun use of neuter of past participle of postulāre to request, demand, akin to pōscere to request

Example Sentences

Researchers postulate that repeated exposure of this sort allowed the virus to push into the cells — a brute force entry more than a lock-picking.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2024

We don't know, but the postquantum theory doesn't require the measurement postulate, because the classicality of spacetime infects quantum systems and causes them to localise.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

Conversely, however, you could postulate that there are other infinities between the cardinality of the natural and real numbers—and encounter no problems either.

From Scientific American • Jul. 13, 2023

Those who postulate equivalency — that is, a lifetime appointment, absent impeachment — are unmoved.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2023

Others postulate that a mini black hole passed through the Earth in Siberia and out the other side.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• hypothesize
• posit
• presuppose
• theorize