Occam's razor

American  

noun

1. the maxim that assumptions introduced to explain a thing must not be multiplied beyond necessity.

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Occam's razor British  

noun

1. a variant spelling of Ockham's razor

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Occam's razor Scientific  

/ ŏk′əmz /

1. A rule in science and philosophy stating that entities should not be multiplied needlessly. This rule is interpreted to mean that the simplest of two or more competing theories is preferable and that an explanation for unknown phenomena should first be attempted in terms of what is already known. Occam's razor is named after the deviser of the rule, English philosopher and theologian William of Ockham (1285?–1349?).

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Etymology

Origin of Occam's razor

First recorded in 1900–05; after William of Occam

Example Sentences

And we have the presumption, too, the Occam’s razor explanation: that deep down this was about nothing more than money, the relentless, insatiable, metastasizing pursuit of it, a cynical and grasping attempt to hoard as much of it as possible, made by those who already have far more than most, and far more than they need.

From New York Times

Dr. Gupta, however, said Dr. Redfield’s opinion was an “informed” one that could be supported “just from an Occam’s razor standpoint.”

From Washington Times

“There’s reason to suspect that this is the origin of the virus. It’s a big virology lab right in Wuhan that happened to be studying bat coronaviruses. Just from an Occam’s razor standpoint, finding the simplest explanation, it would make sense.”

From Washington Times

An example: In one of his first conversations with Maddon, the manager approached him during a practice and began to explain the theory of … Occam’s razor.

From Los Angeles Times

Explanation No. 1: Occam’s razor might indicate simple cynicism.

From Washington Post