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When you postulate an idea or theory you suggest that it is true especially for the purposes of an argument or discussion. The word is mostly at home in formal and academic contexts, but don’t let that stop you from postulating, for example, that takeout for dinner makes sense given the cook’s delayed return home from work. The word postulate also functions as a noun referring to something that’s been postulated, as in “a theory based on disputed postulates.” Both verb and noun have their source in Latin postulare, meaning "to assume."
Synonyms
Examples of postulate in a Sentence
Michael Franco, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2024
In 1986, using software devised by Gerard J. Holzmann, Schwartz postulated that Leonardo had used his own image to craft the Mona Lisa, a discovery that was so intriguing, she was even interviewed by CBS about her studies.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2024
Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 6 Dec. 2023
In the 1800s, Bertrand’s postulate showed that for any n>3, there is always a prime number between n and 2n.
—Quanta Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023
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Dictionary Entries Near postulate
Cite this Entry
“Postulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postulate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
postulate
1 of 2 verb
postulate
2 of 2 noun
Medical Definition
postulate
noun
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