variants
or less commonly premiss
1
a
: a proposition antecedently supposed or proved as a basis of argument or inference
specifically
: either of the first two propositions of a syllogism from which the conclusion is drawn
b
: something assumed or taken for granted : presupposition
2
premises also premisses plural
: matters previously stated
specifically
: the preliminary and explanatory part of a deed or of a bill in equity
3
premises also premisses plural
[from its being identified in the premises of the deed]
a
: a tract of land with the buildings thereon
b
: a building or part of a building usually with its appurtenances (such as grounds)
premised; premising
1
a
: to set forth beforehand as an introduction or a postulate
b
: to offer as a premise in an argument
2
3
: to base on certain assumptions
Synonyms
Examples of premise in a Sentence
Noun
Called behavioral ecology, it starts from the premise that social and environmental forces select for various behaviors that optimize people's fitness in a given environment. Different environment, different behaviors—and different human "natures."
—
Sharon Begley, Newsweek, 29 June 2009
Although the Voting Rights Act served, in some measure, to formalize the notion of racial representation, its consequences undermined its premise—that a transparency of interests existed between the representative and the represented.
—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New Yorker, 24 Oct. 1994
Thirty years ago the modesty of the general expectation was still consistent with the original American premise of self-government.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, November 1992
They were asked to leave the premises.
The company leases part of the premises to smaller businesses.
The premises were searched by the police.
He disagreed with her premise.
the basic premises of the argument
a theory based on the simple premise that what goes up must come down
Verb
Niebuhr … adhered to a form of liberalism more premised on a realistic assessment of human nature than Rauschenbusch's naïve progressivism was.
—Alan Wolfe, New York Times Book Review, 21 Oct. 2007
Fears of a nuclear holocaust were fueled by President Nixon's "madman" theory of diplomacy. The madman theory was premised on the assumption that if the Soviets thought that Nixon was crazy enough to drop the bomb, they would leave us alone.
—Will Manley, Booklist, 1 & 15 June 2006
let us premise certain things, such as every person's need for love, before beginning our line of reasoning
Sharon Begley, Newsweek, 29 June 2009
Although the Voting Rights Act served, in some measure, to formalize the notion of racial representation, its consequences undermined its premise—that a transparency of interests existed between the representative and the represented.
—Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New Yorker, 24 Oct. 1994
Thirty years ago the modesty of the general expectation was still consistent with the original American premise of self-government.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, November 1992
They were asked to leave the premises.
The company leases part of the premises to smaller businesses.
The premises were searched by the police.
He disagreed with her premise.
the basic premises of the argument
a theory based on the simple premise that what goes up must come down
Verb
Niebuhr … adhered to a form of liberalism more premised on a realistic assessment of human nature than Rauschenbusch's naïve progressivism was.
—Alan Wolfe, New York Times Book Review, 21 Oct. 2007
Fears of a nuclear holocaust were fueled by President Nixon's "madman" theory of diplomacy. The madman theory was premised on the assumption that if the Soviets thought that Nixon was crazy enough to drop the bomb, they would leave us alone.
—Will Manley, Booklist, 1 & 15 June 2006
let us premise certain things, such as every person's need for love, before beginning our line of reasoning
Recent Examples on the WebOwen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Apr. 2024
After the raid, the hospital premises were littered with dead bodies and shallow graves, according to the World Health Organization, which led a team this month to evaluate the hospital’s condition.
—Abu Bakr Bashir, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Yet the duo only ever encounter one such monster over the eight-episode first season, and perhaps that’s because despite its gloomy-sounding premise, Dead Boy Detectives is the furthest thing from dour.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
The Sheriff’s Department, which has released audio and video recordings of the incident, said deputies with the sheriff’s Carson station were dispatched to the gas station after an employee called about a man screaming and walking around the premises.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Anti-Subsidy Raid In another move this week, EU watchdogs raided the European premises of a security equipment company Tuesday under new anti-subsidy laws.
—Alberto Nardelli, Fortune Asia, 24 Apr. 2024
The investors subsequently spent several years and millions more razing and rebuilding the premises in collaboration with architect Doug Burdge.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
The premise of the tour is that members of A Perfect Circle, Puscifer and Primus will not only share a stage but also musicians as the night unfolds, resulting in some truly awe-inspiring feats of musical cross-pollination.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
That simple premise kicks off a slapstick action-comedy buoyed by great voice performances by true-blue action stars like Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Bill Donahue, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024
Yet these larger age gaps have opened the door for a new kind of dynamic—one premised more on mentorship than on a battle for limited attention or resources.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024
In at least some cases, borrowers may have taken steps in reliance of the notice that their student loans were discharged — such as leaving public service employment, or purchasing a home and taking out a mortgage premised on no longer having any student loan payments.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Classical education is premised on the idea that there is objective truth, and that the purpose of school is to set kids on a path toward understanding it.
—Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Industry regulations are premised on the idea that workers get three hours of meal time and eight hours of sleep, including five hours of uninterrupted rest.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
It was premised on the chains operating in different parts of the country.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024
The book is premised on a counterfactual: What if the American Jewish intellectuals of the interwar period—that is, between the end of the Second World War and the Six-Day War—had been forced to wrestle with Zionism?
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024
In its loosest definition, post-work polyamory is a relationship form premised on and committed to anti-capitalism.
—TIME, 9 Feb. 2024
Noun
The film’s premise is that climate changed has metastasized, to the point that none of the earth’s population has enough food, water, or resources.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Apr. 2024
After the raid, the hospital premises were littered with dead bodies and shallow graves, according to the World Health Organization, which led a team this month to evaluate the hospital’s condition.
—Abu Bakr Bashir, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024
Yet the duo only ever encounter one such monster over the eight-episode first season, and perhaps that’s because despite its gloomy-sounding premise, Dead Boy Detectives is the furthest thing from dour.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2024
The Sheriff’s Department, which has released audio and video recordings of the incident, said deputies with the sheriff’s Carson station were dispatched to the gas station after an employee called about a man screaming and walking around the premises.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
Anti-Subsidy Raid In another move this week, EU watchdogs raided the European premises of a security equipment company Tuesday under new anti-subsidy laws.
—Alberto Nardelli, Fortune Asia, 24 Apr. 2024
The investors subsequently spent several years and millions more razing and rebuilding the premises in collaboration with architect Doug Burdge.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2024
The premise of the tour is that members of A Perfect Circle, Puscifer and Primus will not only share a stage but also musicians as the night unfolds, resulting in some truly awe-inspiring feats of musical cross-pollination.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 17 Apr. 2024
That simple premise kicks off a slapstick action-comedy buoyed by great voice performances by true-blue action stars like Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan.
—Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Verb
The lawsuit, premised on Astley’s likeness rights, raised big questions about sound-alike songs and sampling, but the dispute was settled on confidential terms in September.
—Bill Donahue, Billboard, 15 Mar. 2024
Yet these larger age gaps have opened the door for a new kind of dynamic—one premised more on mentorship than on a battle for limited attention or resources.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024
In at least some cases, borrowers may have taken steps in reliance of the notice that their student loans were discharged — such as leaving public service employment, or purchasing a home and taking out a mortgage premised on no longer having any student loan payments.
—Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024
Classical education is premised on the idea that there is objective truth, and that the purpose of school is to set kids on a path toward understanding it.
—Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Industry regulations are premised on the idea that workers get three hours of meal time and eight hours of sleep, including five hours of uninterrupted rest.
—Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024
It was premised on the chains operating in different parts of the country.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024
The book is premised on a counterfactual: What if the American Jewish intellectuals of the interwar period—that is, between the end of the Second World War and the Six-Day War—had been forced to wrestle with Zionism?
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024
In its loosest definition, post-work polyamory is a relationship form premised on and committed to anti-capitalism.
—TIME, 9 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'premise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to premise
Dictionary Entries Near premise
Cite this Entry
“Premise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premise. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
premise
1 of 2 noun
prem·ise
ˈprem-əs 
1
: a statement taken to be true and used as a basis for argument or reasoning
2
plural
a
: a piece of land with the buildings on it
b
: a building or part of a building usually with its grounds
premise
2 of 2 verb
pre·mise
ˈprem-əs
pri-ˈmīz
premised; premising
: to base on certain assumptions
a conclusion premised on stereotypes
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