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Definition of assumption noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

assumption

noun
 
/əˈsʌmpʃn/
 
/əˈsʌmpʃn/
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  1. [countable] a belief or feeling that something is true or that something will happen, although there is no proof
    • an underlying/implicit assumption
    • We need to challenge some of the basic assumptions of Western philosophy.
    • We are working on the assumption that everyone invited will turn up.
    • It was impossible to make assumptions about people's reactions.
    • His actions were based on a false assumption.
    • She arrived at college with a whole set of assumptions inherited from her family.
    Extra Examples
    • Lots of evidence supports this assumption.
    • We need to establish a basic set of assumptions before we can continue.
    • Your argument is based on a set of questionable assumptions.
    • The underlying assumption is that young people are incapable of knowing their own minds.
    • There is a general but false assumption that intelligent people do better in life.
    • They are basing their costs on the assumption that about 10 000 people will need to be rehoused.
    • I really don't like you making assumptions about what I think.
    • She's always making assumptions about how much money people have.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • basic
    • fundamental
    • key
    … of assumptions
    • number
    • series
    • set
    verb + assumption
    • make
    • base something on
    • start from
    assumption + verb
    • underlie something
    • underpin something
    preposition
    • on the assumption that
    • assumption about
    See full entry
  2. [countable, uncountable] assumption of something (formal) the act of taking or beginning to have power or responsibility
    • their assumption of power/control
    • the assumption of responsibility by the government for the disaster
  3. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French asompsion or Latin assumptio(n-), from the verb assumere, from ad- ‘towards’ + sumere ‘take’.
See assumption in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee assumption in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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