Definition of 'predicate'

Noun

1. (logic) what is predicated of the subject of a proposition; the second term in a proposition is predicated of the first term by means of the copula; "`Socrates is a man' predicates manhood of Socrates"
2. one of the two main constituents of a sentence; the predicate contains the verb and its complements
      Synonyms: verb phrase

Verb

1. make the (grammatical) predicate in a proposition; "The predicate `dog' is predicated of the subject `Fido' in the sentence `Fido is a dog'"
2. affirm or declare as an attribute or quality of; "The speech predicated the fitness of the candidate to be President"
      Synonyms: proclaim
3. involve as a necessary condition of consequence; as in logic; "solving the problem is predicated on understanding it well"
      Synonyms: connote

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