Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

methodology

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

noun

plural

methodologies

  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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a statement, the firm said it does not comment on speculation, but it noted that any material changes to its methodology would require public consultation.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

The EU’s methodology “has the potential to become the leading market standard for durable carbon removals,” ClimeFi said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Experts said that YouGov's methodology - gathering data from volunteers who received cash rewards for their time - left it vulnerable to "bogus respondents" skewing the data.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

“The methodology was based on well-established metrics consistent with formulas widely used to set debate participation nationwide — a combination of polling and fundraising — and developed without regard to any particular candidate.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

Chapters 2, 15, 16 and 17 deal with historiography, methodology and philosophy.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.