thought experiment

American  

noun

1. Physics. a demonstration or calculation that is based on the postulates of a theory, as relativity, and that demonstrates or clarifies the consequences of the postulates.

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Etymology

Origin of thought experiment

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

This concept is famously illustrated by Schrödinger's cat, a thought experiment in which a cat is considered both alive and dead simultaneously until it is observed.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

“The Disappearing Act” is more of a thought experiment about M’s effort to become “invisible and free.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

For Tesla’s Musk, space-based data centers appear to be well more than just a thought experiment.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

In Citrini’s thought experiment, competitors could use coding agents to easily launch delivery apps, and drivers could use multi-app dashboards to find the best gigs.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

He went back to his old thought experiment and began to study it carefully, this time with the help of real tanks, real blocks of wood and pieces of marble.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton