operationalism

American  

[op-uh-rey-shuh-nl-iz-uhm] / ˌɒp əˈreɪ ʃə nlˌɪz əm /

Also operationism

noun

Philosophy.

1. the doctrine that the meaning of a scientific term, concept, or proposition consists of the operation or operations performed in defining or demonstrating it.

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operationalism British  

/ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəˌlɪzəm, ˌɒpəˈreɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. philosophy the theory that scientific terms are defined by the experimental operations which determine their applicability

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Other Word Forms

• operationalist noun
• operationalistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of operationalism

First recorded in 1930–35; operational + -ism