functionalism
noun
func·tion·al·ism
| \ ˈfəŋ(k)-shnə-ˌli-zəm
, -shÉ™-nÉ™-ËŒli-\
, -shÉ™-nÉ™-ËŒli-\
Definition of functionalism
1
: a late 19th century to early 20th century American school of psychology concerned especially with how the mind functions to adapt the individual to the environment — compare structuralism sense 1
2
: a philosophy of design (as in architecture) holding that form should be adapted to use, material, and structure
3
: a theory that stresses the interdependence of the patterns and institutions of a society and their interaction in maintaining cultural and social unity
4
: a doctrine or practice that emphasizes practical utility or functional relations
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Other Words from functionalism
functionalist
\ ˈfəŋ(k)-shnə-list
, -shÉ™-nÉ™-list \
noun
, -shÉ™-nÉ™-list \
noun
functionalist
or functionalistic \ ˌfən(k)-shnə-ˈli-stik
, -shə-nə-ˈli- \
adjective
, -shə-nə-ˈli- \
adjective
Examples of functionalism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An Italian immigrant who arrived from Sicily around 1910, Candela studied to become an architect at Columbia University, where Beaux Arts classical knowhow was still valued but inklings of pragmatic modern functionalism were seeping in from abroad. — Julie V. Iovine, WSJ, "‘Elegance in the Sky: The Architecture of Rosario Candela’ Review: King of Apartments," 29 May 2018 But while such panache would seem far from efficient functionalism, the piece was designed with function as a top priority: to better disperse heat than a traditional radiator. — Alex Palmer, Smithsonian, "Have We Been Building Chairs All Wrong?," 14 Oct. 2017 By the ’30s, however, the movement was eclipsed, in Sweden as well as internationally, by functionalism and the politicized mass production of home furnishings (see Ikea). — Alexa Brazilian, New York Times, "Not All Scandinavian Design is Minimalist," 16 Feb. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'functionalism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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