methodology

American  

[meth-uh-dol-uh-jee] / ˌmɛθ əˈdɒl ə dʒi /

noun

methodologies plural

1. a set or system of methods, principles, and rules for regulating a given discipline, as in the arts or sciences.

2. Philosophy.

   1. the underlying principles and rules of organization of a philosophical system or inquiry procedure.

   2. the study of the principles underlying the organization of the various sciences and the conduct of scientific inquiry.

3. Education. a branch of pedagogics dealing with analysis and evaluation of subjects to be taught and of the methods of teaching them.

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methodology British  

/ ˌmɛθəˈdɒlədʒɪ, ˌmɛθədəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the system of methods and principles used in a particular discipline

2. the branch of philosophy concerned with the science of method and procedure

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Other Word Forms

• methodological
  adjective
• methodologically
  adverb
• methodologist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of methodology

From the New Latin word methodologia, dating back to 1790–1800. See method, -o-, -logy

Explanation

A methodology is a plan-of-attack, especially when that plan-of-attack is used repeatedly. This might be obvious, but the word methodology is related to the word method. In fact, a methodology is a system of methods followed consistently. Scientists, for example, use various methodologies as they perform experiments. It might seem like the world is nothing but chaos and disorder. But actually, sometimes there is a method to this madness. And sometimes there’s a methodology.

Example Sentences

Abramson, who besides his work at Rand is board chair of SELAH, a Hollywood and Northeast L.A. homeless coalition, is using Rand’s methodology to produce estimates from the raw tallies.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Private companies such as Atom Computing and QuEra also get called out as leaders in that methodology.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

"The old methodology involved collecting thousands of experimental results and reinterpreting them to get the single number, the magnetic moment of the muon," Fodor said.

From Science Daily • May 19, 2026

BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague said that there was "a clash between a coach with a clear methodology and players who want to rely on instinct".

From BBC • May 16, 2026

The staff did not greet the Joliots’ achievement as joyously as Madame Curie, for the discovery was another reproach to their slapdash methodology.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

• mode
• procedure
• technique