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.

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paradigm shift British  

noun

1. a radical change in underlying beliefs or theory

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Etymology

Origin of paradigm shift

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

“If there’s a paradigm shift that’s happening, you want to be there in that moment,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 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

Further evidence of a paradigm shift: Enthusiastic theatergoers thronging to “Malinche the Musical,” the brainchild of Nacho Cano, a Spanish rock star turned impresario.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2026

"This is a paradigm shift," says Donn Van Deren, PhD, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Pennsylvania who carried out the work while at University of Utah Health.

From Science Daily • Nov. 13, 2025

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