hypothesis
UK: /haɪˈpɒθɪsɪs/ | US: /haɪˈpɑːθəsɪs/
n. a proposed explanation for a phenomenon, made as a starting point for further investigation
n. (logic) a premise assumed for the sake of argument
Derived from Greek hypothesis (ὑπόθεσις), combining hypo- ("under") + thesis ("a placing, proposition"). The root thes- (from tithenai, "to put") reflects the idea of "laying down" an idea as a foundation for reasoning. Over time, it evolved in scientific contexts to denote a testable proposition.
The researcher formulated a hypothesis to explain the unusual results.
Darwin's hypothesis of natural selection revolutionized biology.
Without evidence, your claim remains merely a hypothesis.
The experiment was designed to test the validity of the hypothesis.
In mathematics, a hypothesis serves as the "if" in an "if-then" statement.