proposal

noun

pro·​pos·​al prə-ˈpō-zəl How to pronounce proposal (audio)
1
: an act of putting forward or stating something for consideration
2
a
: something proposed : suggestion
b
: offer
specifically : an offer of marriage

Examples of proposal in a Sentence

Everyone thought the proposal made sense. The committee is reviewing the proposal for the new restaurant. They put forth a proposal to sell the company. These problems have led to the proposal of a new law.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
But Trump’s involvement signals a new level of seriousness about the proposal. Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 26 May 2025 These benefits come with minimal costs – experts estimate that the proposal would account for only .04% of the state’s overall unemployment insurance expenditures. Ed Hawthorne, Hartford Courant, 25 May 2025 Tucked within President Donald Trump's massive tax and spending bill, which the House narrowly passed on Thursday, is a proposal to increase a tax that some universities pay on the investment returns of their endowments from 1.4% to as high as 21% for some of the most elite colleges in the country. Brad Brooks, USA Today, 24 May 2025 The governor on Monday released his second state Hurricane Helene budget proposal of $891 million. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for proposal

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1629, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of proposal was circa 1629

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proposal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proposal. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

proposal

noun
pro·​pos·​al prə-ˈpō-zəl How to pronounce proposal (audio)
1
: a stating or putting forward something for consideration
2
a
: something proposed : suggestion
b
: an offer of marriage

More from Merriam-Webster on proposal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!