paradigm shift

American  

[par-uh-dahym shift] / ˈpær ə daɪm ˌʃɪft /

noun

1. a dramatic change in the paradigm of a scientific community, or a change from one scientific paradigm to another.

2. a significant change in the paradigm of any discipline or group.

   Putting skilled, tenured teachers in failing schools would cause a paradigm shift in teaching and education.

---

paradigm shift British  

noun

1. a radical change in underlying beliefs or theory

---

Etymology

Origin of paradigm shift

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

She’s not the only woman calling for one; doctors, researchers, and advocates regularly use this term to describe the paradigm shift necessary to ensure fewer women suffer.

From Salon • Jun. 14, 2026

His administration’s National Security Strategy marks External link a paradigm shift toward hard-nose geopolitical realism to secure access to critical minerals and control chokepoints.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

If the climber is found guilty it could mean "a paradigm shift for mountain sports", says Austria's Der Standard newspaper.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

This paradigm shift, along with the introduction of robust federal funding, reversed the cycle and made American universities the place for students seeking to change the world—and America the country where they did it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

If the relativist account of science were correct, every major paradigm shift ought to be accompanied by bitter disputes between competing intellectual communities: indeed it was Kuhn’s view that this is exactly what happens.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton