Hypothesis Meaning
Hypothesis Definition & Usage
A proposed explanation for a phenomenon or a tentative assumption made to test its validity, usually as the basis for further investigation or experimentation.
Examples
- "The scientist formed a hypothesis about the relationship between light and plant growth."
- "Before conducting the experiment, they tested several hypotheses to predict the outcome."
- "His hypothesis was that exercise improves cognitive function, which he later confirmed with a series of tests."
- "The hypothesis that the Earth orbits the Sun was first proposed by Copernicus."
- "A good hypothesis should be testable and falsifiable."
An assumption or speculation about something that has not yet been proven or established.
Examples
- "It’s just a hypothesis, but I think the meeting will be postponed due to the weather."
- "Her hypothesis about the new policy's effect was accepted by the board, even without hard data."
- "The idea that the company could achieve success with this product is merely a hypothesis at this stage."
- "Many hypotheses were proposed during the debate, but none were backed by strong evidence."
- "His hypothesis that people would buy more if the price were lowered was tested during the weekend sale."
Cultural Context
The word 'hypothesis' comes from the Greek word 'hypothesis', which means 'a foundation' or 'a proposal'. It plays a crucial role in scientific research as it is used to develop theories that can be tested. While it is most commonly used in academic or research contexts, the concept has also permeated everyday language, especially when discussing uncertain predictions or ideas.
The Hypothesis of the Missing Link
Story
The Hypothesis of the Missing Link
Dr. Emma Harris, a renowned geneticist, stood in front of her lab’s whiteboard, marker in hand, as she looked at the complex formulas and diagrams. For weeks, she had been working on a hypothesis: Could a common ancestor have existed between humans and the mysterious extinct species found deep in the Amazon rainforest? Her colleagues had dismissed the idea at first, but she was convinced she was onto something groundbreaking. One afternoon, as she sat with her team discussing the latest data, her assistant Ben pointed out an anomaly in the results. 'It doesn’t match our expectations,' he said. Emma's hypothesis was about to be tested in the most challenging way. After several weeks of lab work, the data began to align. The test results confirmed that there was, indeed, a genetic link between the species. Her hypothesis, once dismissed as speculation, was now a crucial part of the scientific community's understanding of human evolution. But not all hypotheses are so easily proven. In fact, the team had to refine their hypothesis several times, adjusting their methods and predictions along the way. Each new iteration led to more questions, but also more answers. In the end, Emma’s hypothesis had paved the way for a new chapter in anthropology. Though it was just a hypothesis at the beginning, it transformed into a powerful scientific theory through rigorous testing. Emma knew that, even in the face of uncertainty, hypotheses were the stepping stones to discovering new truths about the world.
Related Words
