Jump To:

• 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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

Voters who use mail-in ballots — by far the most popular method of voting in California — would be required to write a four-digit number, essentially a PIN, on their ballot envelopes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

By combining chemical imaging with highly sensitive radiocarbon measurements, the team has developed a method that could be applied to other prehistoric figures previously considered undatable.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

He believes this method is the “secret sauce” for companies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

Professionals with air rifles shoot the pigeons at night in an effort to prevent droppings becoming slip hazards or causing illness, but critics say the method is inhumane.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

Eddie explains what the scientific method is once she realizes I’ve never heard of it.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Or do you guys believe in Method acting?

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

The RZA and Method Man are also movie stars.

From Salon ● May 31, 2026

“I’m not a Method actor in any sense, but it felt like to play somebody starving and then go home at night and have a big steak would be making my job harder,” Radcliffe says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 2, 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

I'd rather take these lessons, immerse myself the Method, and let my own story-telling skills do the work for me.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

DoorDash has experimented with other new methods of delivery.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

As a result, the signals were larger than those commonly produced by traditional optical methods.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

However, these methods could further weigh on final yields and keep profitability below its peers, he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Past findings produced by Wada suggest micro-dosing could evade detection methods, and so the scope to cheat in professional sport remains, meaning all efforts must be taken to ensure nobody beats the system.

From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026

In addition to the spoken word, their communication methods include petroglyphs, wampum belts, and books with symbols painted on bark cloth.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Related Words

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