assumption.

something accepted as true for the purpose of reasoning, without being established in that context

Use it for

Words that belong together

• underlying assumption
• explicit assumption
• challenge an assumption

On the page

The model relies on an assumption of stable prices.

This assumption is useful but requires justification.

The evidence challenges the essay's central assumption.

Usage notes

Primary curation section: Academic. May be explicit or unstated; not every assumption is careless or false. State important assumptions rather than concealing them. Plural: assumptions. Related verb: assume.