paradigm

[ par-uh-dahym, -dim ]

noun

1. 1. a framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community.
   2. such a cognitive framework shared by members of any discipline or group:

      The company’s business paradigm needs updating for a new generation.

2. Informal. a general mental model or framework for anything:

   Their first album completely blew apart my paradigm for what rock music could be.

3. an example serving as a model for others to imitate; pattern:

   Pelham Dairy’s 10-year aged cheddar is the paradigm of cheddars.

   Synonyms: touchstone, paragon, ideal, standard, mold

4. a typical or representative instance or example:

   His experimentalism and iconoclastic attitude towards the past make Picasso a paradigm of 20th century painting.

5. Grammar.
   1. a set of forms all of which contain a particular element, especially the set of all inflected forms based on a single stem or theme.
   2. a display in fixed arrangement of such a set, as boy, boy's, boys, boys'.

paradigm

/ ˌpærədɪɡˈmætɪk; ˈpærəˌdaɪm /

noun

1. grammar the set of all the inflected forms of a word or a systematic arrangement displaying these forms
2. a pattern or model
3. a typical or stereotypical example (esp in the phrase paradigm case )
4. (in the philosophy of science) a very general conception of the nature of scientific endeavour within which a given enquiry is undertaken

Derived Forms

• paradigmatic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradigm¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Late Latin paradigma “example,” from Greek parádeigma “pattern, model, precedent, example” (derivative of paradeiknýnai “to show side by side, compare”), equivalent to para- preposition and prefix + deik-, root of deiknýnai “to show, bring to light, prove” + -ma noun suffix denoting the result of an action; para- ¹, deictic

Word History and Origins

Origin of paradigm¹

C15: via French and Latin from Greek paradeigma pattern, from paradeiknunai to compare, from para- ¹+ deiknunai to show

Example Sentences

“It was just another assumption based on a paradigm that marginalizes non-heterosexual people,” he writes.

From The Daily Beast

Her new paradigm leads her to carve up shibboleths and heroes alike.

From The Daily Beast

Kargil is a good paradigm for what a future crisis might look like.

From The Daily Beast

But if “calories-in-calories-out” is a meaningful weight-loss paradigm as the show insists, then plateaus simply are not possible.

From The Daily Beast

To change this paradigm, to move forward, it is critical to look back.

From The Daily Beast

To complete what I said on the verb during the hearing I give here the entire paradigm of the verb in Esperanto.

From Project Gutenberg

Rapid Dominance also means looking to invest in technologies perhaps not fully or currently captured by the Cold War paradigm.

From Project Gutenberg

The orbit of Venus is now almost circular, and it affords an example of the perfect astronomical paradigm.

From Project Gutenberg

This perspective was an essential paradigm shift for nursing knowledge, but essential for study of the caring phenomena.

From Project Gutenberg

In the empathic paradigm, the subjectivity of the other is "assumed to be as whole and valid as that of the caregiver" (p. 68).

From Project Gutenberg