Axiom definition
An established rule, principle, or law.
noun
A statement universally accepted as true; maxim.
noun
An established principle or law of a science, art, etc.
noun
(logic, math.) A statement or proposition that needs no proof because its truth is obvious, or one that is accepted as true without proof.
Euclid's axiom that things equal to the same thing are equal to each other.
noun
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.
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The definition of an axiom is a universally accepted rule.
Two things that are equal to the same thing are also equal to each other is an example of an axiom.
noun
A self-evident or universally recognized truth; a maxim.
noun
A self-evident principle or one that is accepted as true without proof as the basis for argument; a postulate.
noun
(mathematics, logic, proof theory) A fundamental assumption that serves as a basis for deduction of theorems. Examples: "Through a pair of distinct points there passes exactly one straight line", "All right angles are congruent".
noun
An established principle in some artistic practice or science that is universally received.
The axioms of political economy cannot be considered absolute truths.
noun
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(philosophy) A seemingly self-evident or necessary truth which is based on assumption; a principle or proposition which cannot actually be proved or disproved.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
axiom
Plural:
axiomsOrigin of axiom
- Middle English from Old French axiome from Latin axiōma axiōmat- from Greek from axios worthy ag- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Middle French axiome, from Ancient Greek ἀξίωμα (aksiōma, “that which is thought to fit, a requisite, that which a pupil is required to know beforehand, a self-evident principle”), from ἀξίοῦν (aksioun, “to think fit or worthy, require, demand”), from ἄξιος (aksios, “worthy, fit”, literally “weighing as much as, of like value”), from ἄγω (agō, “I drive”).
From Wiktionary