hypothesis
n. countablen. an idea or explanation that you test through study and experiments. It is a starting point for research that has not been proven true yet.
n. a proposed explanation for a phenomenon, used as a starting point for further investigation. Often formulated as a testable statement that can be supported or refuted by empirical evidence.
The scientist created a hypothesis to explain why the plants died.
Researchers are testing the hypothesis that a lack of sleep directly affects memory retention in young adults.
While the initial data appeared to support the researcher's hypothesis, a more rigorous statistical analysis revealed that the observed correlation was likely a result of sampling bias rather than causation.
Recorded since 1596, from Middle French hypothese, from Late Latin hypothesis, from Ancient Greek ὑπόθεσις (hupóthesis, “base, basis of an argument, supposition”, literally “a placing under”), itself from ὑποτίθημι (hupotíthēmi, “I set before, suggest”), from ὑπό (hupó, “below”) + τίθημι (títhēmi, “I put, place”). Compare hypothec.
The plural form is 'hypotheses'. Often used with the verbs 'propose', 'test', 'support', or 'refute'.
The scientists proved their hypothesis.The scientists supported their hypothesis.In academic writing, a hypothesis is rarely 'proven' in an absolute sense; instead, evidence 'supports' or 'validates' it.