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• method
  method

  noun

  a procedure, technique, or way of doing something, especially in accordance with a definite plan.
• Method
  Method

  noun

  (sometimes not capital)

method

American  

[meth-uhd] / ˈmɛθ əd /

noun

• methods
  plural

1. a procedure, technique, or way of doing something, especially in accordance with a definite plan.

   There are three possible methods of repairing this motor.

   Synonyms:

   technique, mean

2. a manner or mode of procedure, especially an orderly, logical, or systematic way of instruction, inquiry, investigation, experiment, presentation, etc..

   the empirical method of inquiry.

   Synonyms:

   technique, mean

3. order or system in doing anything.

   to work with method.

4. orderly or systematic arrangement, sequence, or the like.

   Synonyms:

   disposition

5. Also called Stanislavski Method.  Also called Stanislavski System.  the Method. a theory and technique of acting in which the performer identifies with the character to be portrayed and renders the part in a naturalistic, nondeclamatory, and highly individualized manner.

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adjective

1. (usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or employing the Method.

   a Method actor;

   Method acting.

method ¹ British  

/ ˈmɛθəd /

noun

1. a way of proceeding or doing something, esp a systematic or regular one

2. orderliness of thought, action, etc

3. (often plural) the techniques or arrangement of work for a particular field or subject

4. Leisure:Bell-ringing any of several traditional sets of changes See major minor

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Method ² British  

/ ˈmɛθəd /

noun

1. (sometimes not capital)

   1. a technique of acting based on the theories of Stanislavsky, in which the actor bases his role on the inner motivation of the character he plays

   2. ( as modifier )

      a Method actor

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Synonym Usage

Method, mode, way imply a manner in which a thing is done or in which it happens. Method refers to a settled kind of procedure, usually according to a definite, established, logical, or systematic plan: the open-hearth method of making steel; one method of solving a problem. Mode is a more formal word that implies a customary or characteristic fashion of doing something: Kangaroos have a peculiar mode of carrying their young. Way, a word in popular use for the general idea, is equivalent to various more specific words: someone's way (manner) of walking; the best way (method) of rapid calculating; the way (mode) of holding a pen.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antimethod
  adjective
• methodless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• methods
  plural

Etymology

Origin of method

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English: “medical procedure,” Latin methodus, from Greek méthodos “systematic course,” equivalent to met- meta- + hodós “way, road”

Explanation

There's a certain way of doing things. A systematic, logical process for accomplishing a task. And it's called a method. There are methods of payment, production methods, and even "method acting." If someone asks if there's a "method to your madness," she wants to make sure there's some kind of plan behind all the crazy stuff you're doing. If you've thought it through and have organized the next steps, go ahead and tell them to buzz off, it's just your method of getting things done.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

method Method methods

Bioloon starts with the same rubber material but uses a method that links the polymer chains together without harmful additives.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

The method takes advantage of normal communications produced by legitimate users connected to a WLAN.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026

To tackle the severe droughts and water shortages that plague the country, Kazakhstan has resorted to cloud seeding, a weather modification method previously unseen in Central Asia.

From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026

United States in 1929 that where Congress prescribes the exclusive method for compromising tax liability, informal settlements by officials, however senior, do not bind the United States.

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

This method of attracting funds suited Mike Burry.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Method Man narrates a retrospective of sneaker culture in a new campaign for Foot Locker.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

We all do Method acting, but it’s not staying in the character and living in the character forever.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

The RZA and Method Man are also movie stars.

From Salon ● May 31, 2026

A few weeks ago, a television documentary - The Tutberidze Method - was released in Russia, celebrating her track record in training medal winners.

From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2026

In 1637 he finally published the Discourse on Method and three essays on mathematics and natural science.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Taipei also accuses Beijing of using a range of "greyzone" methods -- tactics that fall short of an act of war -- including cyberattacks to harass the island.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

ExxonMobil, for example, said in its recent results that it used an AI model to identify four drilling prospects in Guyana that it hadn’t spotted using conventional methods.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

We gathered images from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, capturing the crowds, coastlines and viewing methods that helped people experience the moment.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Together, these methods allowed the team to identify the astrocytes responsible for restoring injured tissue.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026

She experimented with different methods of carrying the grain bag.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• approach
• arrangement
• design
• form
• habit
• manner
• mechanism
• mode
• plan
• practice
• process
• program
• recipe
• rule
• scheme
• style
• system
• technique
• way