suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief

his theory postulated a rotatory movement for hurricanes

she postulated that the environmentalists might have a case

(in ecclesiastical law) nominate or elect (someone) to an ecclesiastical office subject to the sanction of a higher authority

the chapter was then allowed to postulate the bishop of Bath

a thing suggested or assumed as true as the basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief

perhaps the postulate of Babylonian influence on Greek astronomy is incorrect