empirical

adjective

em·pir·i·cal | \ im-ˈpir-i-kəl

, em-\

variants: or less commonly empiric \ im-ˈpir-ik

, em-

Definition of empirical

1 : originating in or based on observation or experience empirical data

2 : relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory an empirical basis for the theory

3 : capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment empirical laws

4 : of or relating to empiricism

Other Words from empirical Synonyms & Antonyms Empirical Has Roots in Latin and Greek More Example Sentences Learn More about empirical

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Empirical Has Roots in Latin and Greek

When empirical first appeared as an adjective in English, it meant simply "in the manner of an empiric." An empiric was a member of an ancient sect of doctors who practiced medicine based exclusively on experience, as contrasted with those who relied on theory or philosophy. The name empiric derives from Latin empiricus, itself from Greek empeirikos ("experienced"). It ultimately traces back to the verb peiran, meaning "to try, attempt, or experiment."

Examples of empirical in a Sentence

Eventually, access to electron microscopes and X-ray diffraction technology provided the necessary empirical evidence to test the hypotheses, and the jigsaw pieces began to fall into place. — Gail Nichols, Ceramics Monthly, February 2002 No religion, new or old, is subject to empirical proof, so what we have is a contest between faiths. — Harvey Cox, Atlantic, March 1999 They collected plenty of empirical data from their experiments. guidelines for raising children that are based on empirical evidence

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet demonstrating an empirical relationship between nature and happiness has proved difficult. — The Economist, "Tweets show how a stroll in the park can bring happiness," 27 Aug. 2019 If those universes are utterly unlike our own, our empirical knowledge is not merely limited but deceived. — George Musser, Scientific American, "The Search for Truth in Physics," 25 Aug. 2019 But the trial could also track quality of life as a secondary endpoint, essentially an interesting add-on that doesn't have quite as much empirical heft as the primary goals. — Cathleen O'grady, Ars Technica, "Spin in psychiatric clinical trial reports is widespread," 9 Aug. 2019 With its wide-ranging empirical coverage, its lucid, detailed mapping of complicated policies, and its analytically useful typologies, Refuge Beyond Reach is itself a major contribution to this effort. — Paul A. Kramer, The New Republic, "The Harsh World of Offshore Borders," 8 Aug. 2019 His elastic, tenacious body is the empirical proof, more convincing than any lab result. — Sally Jenkins, courant.com, "How does Tom Brady do it? It starts with science and ends with something less precise," 5 Aug. 2019 Historical-critical theories on the New Testament are a little more amenable to empirical corroboration. — Barton Swaim, WSJ, "‘A History of the Bible’ Review: Scripture Under Scrutiny," 9 July 2019 Expert testimony, including from other agents and sports marketing professionals, and empirical analysis would be crucial. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Analyzing the $100 Million Lawsuit Against Zion Williamson and CAA," 20 June 2019 Mediation involves a mediator, who functions like an arbitrator or, to a lesser extent, a judge, in that the mediator hears competing perspectives and reviews accompanying statements and empirical data. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "What Mediation Means for U.S. Soccer, USWNT in Gender Discrimination Lawsuit," 21 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'empirical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for empirical

empiric "of physicians in ancient Greece and Rome holding that treatment should be based on observation rather than theory" (going back to Middle English emperic, borrowed from early Medieval Latin empīricus, borrowed from Greek empeirikós, "based on observation (of medical treatment), experienced") + -al entry 1 — more at empiric

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More Definitions for empirical

empirical

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of empirical

: based on testing or experience

See the full definition for empirical in the English Language Learners Dictionary

empirical

adjective

em·pir·i·cal | \ -i-kəl

variants: also empiric \ -ik

Medical Definition of empirical

1 archaic

a : following or used in the practice of the empirics — compare rational sense 2

b : being or befitting a quack or charlatan

2 : originating in or based on observation or experiment much medical lore had had an empirical origin…centuries of trial-and-error gropings after remedies— R. H. Shryock

3 : capable of being confirmed, verified, or disproved by observation or experiment empirical statements or laws

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empirical

Definition of empirical

Synonyms & Antonyms for empirical

Empirical Has Roots in Latin and Greek

Examples of empirical in a Sentence

First Known Use of empirical

History and Etymology for empirical

English Language Learners Definition of empirical

Medical Definition of empirical

empirical

Definition of empirical

Synonyms & Antonyms for empirical

Empirical Has Roots in Latin and Greek

Examples of empirical in a Sentence

First Known Use of empirical

History and Etymology for empirical

English Language Learners Definition of empirical

Medical Definition of empirical

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