axiom

[ ak-see-uh m ]
/ ˈæk si əm /

noun

a self-evident truth that requires no proof.
a universally accepted principle or rule.
Logic, Mathematics. a proposition that is assumed without proof for the sake of studying the consequences that follow from it.

Origin of axiom

1475–85; < Latin axiōma < Greek: something worthy, equivalent to axiō-, variant stem of axioûn to reckon worthy + -ma resultative noun suffix

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH axiom

adage aphorism apothegm axiom maxim proverb assumption axiom premise presumption

Example sentences from the Web for axiom

British Dictionary definitions for axiom

axiom
/ (ˈæksɪəm) /

noun

a generally accepted proposition or principle, sanctioned by experience; maxim
a universally established principle or law that is not a necessary truth the axioms of politics
a self-evident statement
logic maths a statement or formula that is stipulated to be true for the purpose of a chain of reasoning: the foundation of a formal deductive system Compare assumption (def. 4)

Word Origin for axiom

C15: from Latin axiōma a principle, from Greek, from axioun to consider worthy, from axios worthy

Scientific definitions for axiom

axiom
[ ăksē-əm ]

A principle that is accepted as true without proof. The statement “For every two points P and Q there is a unique line that contains both P and Q” is an axiom because no other information is given about points or lines, and therefore it cannot be proven. Also called postulate

Cultural definitions for axiom

axiom
[ (ak-see-uhm) ]

In mathematics, a statement that is unproved but accepted as a basis for other statements, usually because it seems so obvious.

notes for axiom

The term axiomatic is used generally to refer to a statement so obvious that it needs no proof.