# predicate

/ˈpɹɛdəˌkeɪt/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/predicate
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the part of a sentence that says what the subject is doing or what it is. It usually includes a verb and any extra information about the action.

For teachers: the part of a sentence that contains the verb and provides information about the subject. In logic, it refers to a function that returns a truth value based on the subject.

## Examples

- The predicate of the sentence 'She runs fast' is 'runs fast'.
- In the sentence 'The cat sleeps on the mat', the predicate describes the action of the cat.
- The logical predicate determines whether a given statement is true or false by evaluating the relationship between the subject and the object.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
