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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

"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

Etymology

Origin of paradigm shift

First recorded in 1970–75

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