hypothesis

hʌɪˈpɒθɪsɪs

noun

a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

his ‘steady state’ hypothesis of the origin of the universe

theory,theorem,thesis,conjecture,supposition,speculation,postulation,postulate,proposition,premise,surmise,assumption,presumption,presupposition,notion,concept,idea,contention,opinion,view,belief