prop·o·si·tion
ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-shən 
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
propositioned; propositioning
ˌprä-pə-ˈzi-sh(ə-)niŋ
: to make a proposal to
especially
: to suggest sexual intercourse to
Example Sentences
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.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Jeremy Hillpot, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2023
Thomas cited only one precedent for that proposition: Gregory v. Ashcroft.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 1 June 2023
The convergence of lavish spectacle and hard times is not necessarily a losing proposition, in terms of public relations.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023
As an integral part of the progression in the Appian Platform, the company has now added key elements of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its total technology proposition.
—Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 3 May 2023
No flights until Friday Transportation in and out of the county remained a tenuous proposition with the airport closed and major roads submerged beneath floodwaters.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2023
Those arguments apparently did not persuade Roberts, who saw other motivations at work behind the state’s propositions.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 8 June 2023
Because Costco’s value proposition is to offer members high-quality products at low prices.
—Anna Oakes, Quartz, 6 June 2023
In 2022, voters in the state rejected a pair of propositions that would have legalized sports gambling, and the fight includes protecting the sovereignty of Native American tribes who control wagering in the state.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 25 May 2023
Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2023
The writing of the moment when Beverly propositions Elliot with this plan, the writing is really completely extraordinary.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2023
The federal lawsuit accused District Attorney Greg Willis of repeatedly making untoward comments, and inappropriately touching and propositioning employees.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 18 Apr. 2023
The 75-page federal lawsuit filed in October accused District Attorney Greg Willis of repeatedly making untoward comments, inappropriately touching and propositioning female employees.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2023
As of late, celebrities and luxury brands have propositioned the prim above-the-elbow accessory as an anywhere and everywhere-type of garment.
—André-Naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2023
The letters described a constellation of abuses of power and influence, including being propositioned after class and on yoga retreats, forcibly kissed during private meditation sessions and assaulted on post-yoga massage tables.
—Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2019
And in 2015, an Uber manager was accused of propositioning Susan Fowler, a young site reliability engineer, on her first day on the job.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
The story, which featured Judd publicly accusing Weinstein of propositioning her in 1997, sparked an avalanche of accusations from women who came forward with similar accounts and ultimately numbered 80.
—Chris Francescani, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2020
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Noun
History tells us that Mark Antony and Cleopatra were buried together, meaning that the finder of her tomb will also discover Antony — an exciting proposition, indeed.
—Jeremy Hillpot, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2023
Thomas cited only one precedent for that proposition: Gregory v. Ashcroft.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 1 June 2023
The convergence of lavish spectacle and hard times is not necessarily a losing proposition, in terms of public relations.
—Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023
As an integral part of the progression in the Appian Platform, the company has now added key elements of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its total technology proposition.
—Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 3 May 2023
No flights until Friday Transportation in and out of the county remained a tenuous proposition with the airport closed and major roads submerged beneath floodwaters.
—David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2023
Those arguments apparently did not persuade Roberts, who saw other motivations at work behind the state’s propositions.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 8 June 2023
Because Costco’s value proposition is to offer members high-quality products at low prices.
—Anna Oakes, Quartz, 6 June 2023
In 2022, voters in the state rejected a pair of propositions that would have legalized sports gambling, and the fight includes protecting the sovereignty of Native American tribes who control wagering in the state.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 25 May 2023
Verb
Donham, who was a 21-year-old shopkeeper in Money, Miss., at the time of Till's killing, accused the teen of propositioning her and lewdly grabbing her at her family's grocery store on Aug. 24, 1955.
—Tristan Balagtas, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2023
The writing of the moment when Beverly propositions Elliot with this plan, the writing is really completely extraordinary.
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2023
The federal lawsuit accused District Attorney Greg Willis of repeatedly making untoward comments, and inappropriately touching and propositioning employees.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 18 Apr. 2023
The 75-page federal lawsuit filed in October accused District Attorney Greg Willis of repeatedly making untoward comments, inappropriately touching and propositioning female employees.
—Maggie Prosser, Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2023
As of late, celebrities and luxury brands have propositioned the prim above-the-elbow accessory as an anywhere and everywhere-type of garment.
—André-Naquian Wheeler, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2023
The letters described a constellation of abuses of power and influence, including being propositioned after class and on yoga retreats, forcibly kissed during private meditation sessions and assaulted on post-yoga massage tables.
—Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 7 Nov. 2019
And in 2015, an Uber manager was accused of propositioning Susan Fowler, a young site reliability engineer, on her first day on the job.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2019
The story, which featured Judd publicly accusing Weinstein of propositioning her in 1997, sparked an avalanche of accusations from women who came forward with similar accounts and ultimately numbered 80.
—Chris Francescani, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2020
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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 9 Jul. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
Nglish: Translation of proposition for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of proposition for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about proposition
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