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definitions

paradigm shift

noun

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

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Nearby words

  1. parade rest,
  2. paradichlorobenzene,
  3. paradiddle,
  4. paradidymis,
  5. paradigm,
  6. paradigmatic,
  7. paradipsia,
  8. paradisaical,
  9. paradisal,
  10. paradise

Origin of paradigm shift

First recorded in 1970–75
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for paradigm shift

paradigm shift

noun

a radical change in underlying beliefs or theory

Word Origin for paradigm shift

C20: coined by T.S. Kuhn (1922–96), US philosopher of science
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