proposition

1 of 2

noun

prop·​o·​si·​tion ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-shən How to pronounce proposition (audio)
1
a(1)
: something offered for consideration or acceptance : proposal
(2)
: a request for sexual intercourse
b
: the point to be discussed or maintained in argument usually stated in sentence form near the outset
c
: a theorem or problem to be demonstrated or performed
2
a
: an expression in language or signs of something that can be believed, doubted, or denied or is either true or false
b
: the objective meaning of a proposition
3
: something of an indicated kind to be dealt with
the farm was never a paying proposition
propositional
ˌprä-pə-ˈzish-nəl How to pronounce proposition (audio)
-ˈzi-shə-nᵊl
adjective

proposition

2 of 2

verb

propositioned; propositioning ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce proposition (audio)

transitive verb

: to make a proposal to
especially : to suggest sexual intercourse to

Examples of proposition in a Sentence

Noun He made an attractive business proposition. The other company rejected their proposition. Her theory rejects the basic proposition that humans evolved from apes. If we accept proposition “A” as true, then we must accept proposition “B” as false. The election will be a tough proposition for the mayor. Verb He was propositioned by a prostitute. He got drunk and propositioned a woman sitting next to him in the bar.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This analysis of an innovative proposition is part of my ongoing Forbes.com column coverage on the latest in AI including identifying and explaining various impactful AI complexities (see the link here). Lance Eliot, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 He’s also got a proposition to turn her job into something a lot more intimate than the original description implies. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
Josh Hawley cited the survey of Instagram users from thirteen to fifteen: thirty-seven per cent reported being exposed to unwanted nudity; twenty-four per cent had been propositioned. Andrew Solomon, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024 Sitting across from New Journalism pioneer Gay Talese (James Naughton), a living, breathing, propositioning representation of the patriarchy (at least, as depicted here), Gia is trying to find a new direction of her own. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for proposition 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proposition.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1922, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proposition was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near proposition

Cite this Entry

“Proposition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proposition. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

proposition

noun
prop·​o·​si·​tion
ˌpräp-ə-ˈzish-ən
1
: something offered to be thought about or accepted : proposal
a business proposition
2
: an expression (as in logic) to be proved or explained
3
: something of a certain kind which one must deal with
the mine will never be a paying proposition
fixing that roof will be a tough proposition

More from Merriam-Webster on proposition

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!