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presume

verb
preĀ·​sume | \ pri-ĖˆzĆ¼m How to pronounce presume (audio) \
presumed; presuming

Definition of presume

transitive verb

1 : to undertake without leave or clear justification : dare
2 : to expect or assume especially with confidence
3 : to suppose to be true without proof presumed innocent until proved guilty
4 : to take for granted : imply

intransitive verb

1 : to act or proceed presumptuously or on a presumption
2 : to go beyond what is right or proper
Other Words from presume Synonyms The Difference Between Assume and Presume More Example Sentences Learn More about presume

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Other Words from presume

presumedly \ pri-​ĖˆzĆ¼-​məd-​lē How to pronounce presumedly (audio) , -​ĖˆzĆ¼md-​lē How to pronounce presumedly (audio) \ adverb
presumer noun

The Difference Between Assume and Presume

Assume and presume both mean "to take something for granted" or "to take something as true," but the words differ in the degree of confidence the person assuming or presuming has. Presume is used when someone is making an informed guess based on reasonable evidence. Assume is used when the guess is based on little or no evidence.

Presume functions a little differently in the legal catchphrase "presumed innocent until proven guilty." That sense of presume is separately defined as "to suppose to be true without proof." It is based on the fact that legal systems grant a defendant the presumption of innocence, thereby placing the burden of proof on the prosecution.

Examples of presume in a Sentence

ā€œIs she still at work?ā€ ā€œI presume so, since she's not home.ā€ The court must presume innocence until there is proof of guilt.

Recent Examples on the Web

 While e-cigarettes have been presumed less harmful over the long run than cigarettes, the ultimate impact from years of vaping is simply not yet known. — New York Times, "The Mysterious Vaping Illness Thatā€™s ā€˜Becoming an Epidemicā€™," 31 Aug. 2019 The 26-year-oldā€™s death was the second presumed drowning in the neighborhood in a span of about 12 hours. — Katherine Rosenberg-douglas, chicagotribune.com, "Man drowns in Lake Michigan in Lincoln Park, body recovered from earlier drowning in Lincoln Park Lagoon," 25 Aug. 2019 Tom Terrificā€™ is such that a connection between Mr. Seaver and the applied-for goods would be presumed. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Federal patent officials reject Tom Bradyā€™s ā€˜Tom Terrificā€™ trademark application," 23 Aug. 2019 Michael Ramos, 24, had a blood-alcohol content of .14%, which is above the 0.08% threshold at which Florida law presumes a motorist to be impaired, according to a Florida Highway Patrol investigative report filed with the court case. — Jerry Fallstrom, orlandosentinel.com, "Orlando man charged with DUI manslaughter in 2018 Lake County crash," 20 Aug. 2019 Running back showcase The 49ers unveiled their probable rotation at running back for the start of the season, presuming Jerick McKinnonā€™s knee recovery still is stalled. — Cam Inman, The Mercury News, "49ers 24, Broncos 15: Top takeways amid Garoppoloā€™s clumsy debut," 19 Aug. 2019 Dispatchers at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area received a report of a missing person and presumed drowning about 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Swim Beach near the Wahweap District. — Mike Cruz, azcentral, "15-year-old boy dead in 2nd drowning in a week at Lake Powell near Page," 17 Aug. 2019 Hickenlooper launched his presidential bid presuming that the 76-year-old Biden would stumble, and the electorate would be hungry for another centrist with a track record of winning white moderates. — Time, "John Hickenlooper Ends 2020 Presidential Campaign," 15 Aug. 2019 The ants in question were a species that is known to damage trees and is presumed to impair tissue healing. — The Economist, "A tale of elephants, ants, trees and fire shows how complex nature is," 8 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'presume.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of presume

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for presume

Middle English, from Late Latin & Anglo-French; Anglo-French presumer, from Late Latin praesumere to dare, from Latin, to anticipate, assume, from prae- + sumere to take ā€” more at consume

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More Definitions for presume

presume

verb
How to pronounce presume (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of presume

: to think that (something) is true without knowing that it is true
: to accept legally or officially that something is true until it is proved not true
formal : to do (something) that you do not have the right or permission to do

See the full definition for presume in the English Language Learners Dictionary

presume

verb
preĀ·​sume | \ pri-ĖˆzĆ¼m How to pronounce presume (audio) \
presumed; presuming

Kids Definition of presume

1 : to undertake without permission or good reason : dare They ā€¦ did not presume to talk to their masters as if they were their equals.— Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
2 : to suppose to be true without proof A person is presumed innocent until proved guilty.

presume

transitive verb
preĀ·​sume | \ pri-ĖˆzĆ¼m How to pronounce presume (audio) \
presumed; presuming

Legal Definition of presume

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