Definition:Axiom

Definition
In all contexts, the definition of the term axiom is by and large the same.

That is, an axiom is a statement which is accepted as being true.

A statement that is considered an axiom can be described as being axiomatic.

Also known as
An axiom is also known as a postulate.

Among ancient Greek philosophers, the term axiom was used for a general truth that was common to everybody (see Euclid's "common notions"), while postulate had a specific application to the subject under discussion.

The distinction is no longer used, and the terms are generally used interchangeably.

Also see

 * Definition:Undefined Term