operationalism
[ op-uh-rey-shuh-nl-iz-uhm ]
nounPhilosophy.
the doctrine that the meaning of a scientific term, concept, or proposition consists of the operation or operations performed in defining or demonstrating it.
Origin of operationalism
1First recorded in 1930–35; operational + -ism
- Also op·er·a·tion·ism [op-uh-rey-shuh-niz-uhm] /ˌɒp əˈreɪ ʃəˌnɪz əm/ .
Other words from operationalism
- op·er·a·tion·al·ist, noun
- op·er·a·tion·al·is·tic, adjective
Words Nearby operationalism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use operationalism in a sentence
Other philosophers found this way of thinking — known as operationalism — an intellectual cop‐out.
What Is Life? Its Vast Diversity Defies Easy Definition. | Carl Zimmer | March 9, 2021 | Quanta Magazine
British Dictionary definitions for operationalism
operationalism
operationism (ˌɒpəˈreɪʃəˌnɪzəm)
/ (ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəˌlɪzəm) /
noun
philosophy the theory that scientific terms are defined by the experimental operations which determine their applicability
Derived forms of operationalism
- operationalistic, adjective
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
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