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

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 That’s why there is a peer review process for empirical studies before they are published in journals. — Allison Schrager, Quartz, "We have access to more data than ever—why do we get so much of it wrong?," 20 June 2019 Studies and empirical data show that investors routinely bail out of investments once losses reach 15%. — Chuck Jaffe, The Seattle Times, "Don’t give up old investment standards to try new ideas," 18 May 2019 The problem is twofold: First, modelers do not estimate a margin of error for their uncertainty, and second, there is far too little empirical data to validate probability models. — Quanta Magazine, "Why (Almost) Everyone Was Wrong," 9 Nov. 2016 Emilie Feldman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, says there is growing empirical evidence that companies pursuing a series of smaller deals rather than focusing on whoppers are better off. — John D. Stoll, WSJ, "What Kylie Jenner Can Teach Us About M&A," 12 July 2019 Unfortunately, these fears are underscored by empirical evidence that African Americans are less likely to receive pain medication management, higher-quality care or survive surgical procedures. — Jason Ashe, The Conversation, "Not all Americans have a fair path to a good death – racial disparities are real," 24 June 2019 There won’t be empirical evidence to answer the first until November at the earliest. — Zach Osterman, Indianapolis Star, "With plenty of frontcourt options, Trayce Jackson-Davis remains wild card for IU basketball," 29 May 2019 But the ever-expanding empirical evidence did nothing to move Arkansas policymakers before the judge stepped in. — Michael Hiltzik, latimes.com, "Confirmed: Medicaid work rules are a health disaster for the poor and don’t affect work," 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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