hypothesis Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
noun a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena
theory; possibility.
- a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory
- he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices
noun a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
guess; conjecture; supposition; surmisal; speculation; surmise.

NL., fr. Gr. foundation, supposition, fr. to place under, under + to put. See Hypo-, Thesis.

plural Hypotheses

A supposition; a proposition or principle which is supposed or taken for granted, in order to draw a conclusion or inference for proof of the point in question; something not proved, but assumed for the purpose of argument, or to account for a fact or an occurrence; as, the hypothesis that head winds detain an overdue steamer.
An hypothesis being a mere supposition, there are no other limits to hypotheses than those of the human imagination. J. S. Mill.
(Natural Science) A tentative theory or supposition provisionally adopted to explain certain facts, and to guide in the investigation of others; hence, frequently called a working hypothesis. Syn. -- Supposition; assumption. See Theory.