presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv 
1
: based on probability or presumption
the presumptive nominee/winner
see also heir presumptive
2
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief
A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent is considered presumptive evidence of drunken driving in Louisiana for those 21 and older.—
Joe Gyan Jr.
Joe Gyan Jr.He was admitted to the hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of cellulitis.—Mary Jo Bonner
Mary Jo Bonner… health departments in 20 states reported 100 presumptive or confirmed human cases of arboviral disease …—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association3
: being an embryonic precursor with the potential for forming a particular structure or tissue in the normal course of development
presumptive retina
presumptively
adverb
Examples of presumptive in a Sentence
in that climate of fear, an accusation alone was presumptive evidence of guilt
Recent Examples on the Web
The presumptive Offensive Rookie of the Year fed receivers regardless of their level of openness.
—Ben Standig, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Sasaki On The Dodgers Ever since it was announced that Sasaki was coming to MLB, the Dodgers have been the presumptive favorite to secure his services.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The confirmation hearing for presumptive Interior nominee Doug Burgum has been delayed by two days after Democratic pushback over missing paperwork.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
And no matter what the presumptive incoming head of the Department of Health and Human Services says, only consume pasteurized milk and dairy products.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for presumptive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Ben Standig, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
Sasaki On The Dodgers Ever since it was announced that Sasaki was coming to MLB, the Dodgers have been the presumptive favorite to secure his services.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
The confirmation hearing for presumptive Interior nominee Doug Burgum has been delayed by two days after Democratic pushback over missing paperwork.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2025
And no matter what the presumptive incoming head of the Department of Health and Human Services says, only consume pasteurized milk and dairy products.
—Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for presumptive
Cite this Entry
“Presumptive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presumptive. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəm(p)-tiv
1
: expected to develop in a particular direction under normal conditions
presumptive regions of the blastula
2
: being the embryonic precursor of
presumptive neural tissue
3
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion
a presumptive diagnosis of dengue
presumptive or confirmed cases of communicable disease
Legal Definition
presumptive
adjective
pre·sump·tive
pri-ˈzəmp-tiv
1
: based on presumption : presumed to have occurred
a presumptive violation of law
2
: giving grounds for reasonable opinion or belief
presumptively
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share