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method

noun
meth·​od | \ ˈme-thəd How to pronounce method (audio) \

Definition of method

1 : a procedure or process for attaining an object: such as
a(1) : a systematic procedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by or proper to a particular discipline or art
(2) : a systematic plan followed in presenting material for instruction the lecture method
b(1) : a way, technique, or process of or for doing something often slow in their business methods— T. R. Ybarra
(2) : a body of skills or techniques in the art of the novel, heavily armed with method— J. D. Scott
2 : a discipline that deals with the principles and techniques of scientific inquiry
3a : orderly arrangement, development, or classification : plan The book is completely lacking in method.
b : the habitual practice of orderliness and regularity time enough to do everything if only you used method— Angela Thirkell
4 capitalized : a dramatic technique by which an actor seeks to gain complete identification with the inner personality of the character being portrayed
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about method

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Choose the Right Synonym for method

method, mode, manner, way, fashion, system mean the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end. method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps. effective teaching methods mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference. the preferred mode of transportation manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive. an odd manner of conducting way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words. has her own way of doing things fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something. rushing about in his typical fashion system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness. a filing system

Examples of method in a Sentence

He claims to have developed a new method for growing tomatoes. Their teaching method tries to adapt lessons to each student. We need to adopt more modern methods of doing things.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 When the decision came out, Bob Miller, a sixty-year-old patient at Sierra Internal who had read about the brash, unapologetic methods of AIDS activists, went on a hunger strike for eleven days. — Mike Mariani, The New Yorker, "A Town for People with Chronic Fatigue," 3 Sep. 2019 Part of the challenge was the San Jose method of man marking, forcing individual battles on defense rather than spreading into a zoned structure. — Julia Poe, Pro Soccer USA, "Three things we learned from Orlando City’s 3-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes," 3 Sep. 2019 Computational drug discovery has traditionally involved brute force methods of looking through millions of potential structures, with limited payoff. — Wired, "A Molecule Designed By AI Exhibits 'Druglike' Qualities," 2 Sep. 2019 This, combined with its effectiveness in increasing blood flow, lubricating joints and decreasing muscle tightness, renders it the preferred method of pre-activity stretching. — Sherri Leimkuhler, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Leimkuhler: Dymanic stretching decreases injuries," 31 Aug. 2019 In fact Kossakovsky’s unconventional method of working meant the project was not so much planned from start to finish as something that evolved segment to segment. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: ‘Aquarela’ proves how to make an exciting documentary about water," 30 Aug. 2019 One of the reasons the 1935 hurricane was so destructive was because satellite and mapping technology was virtually non-existent and methods of getting warnings out were inconsistent. — Aj Willingham, CNN, "Dorian's timing coincides with another Labor Day storm - the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane ever," 28 Aug. 2019 In this backdrop, Walmart Foundation’s support can go a long way in helping small farmers in India improve their status by adopting technology and sustainable methods of farming. — Sangeeta Tanwar, Quartz India, "The world’s largest retailer is reaching out to India’s small farmers with new technology," 27 Aug. 2019 The methods of science seem inherently incapable of describing subjective experience. — George Musser, Scientific American, "The Search for Truth in Physics," 25 Aug. 2019

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

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First Known Use of method

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for method

Middle English, prescribed treatment, from Latin methodus, from Greek methodos, from meta- + hodos way

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More Definitions for method

method

noun
How to pronounce method (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of method

: a way of doing something
formal : a careful or organized plan that controls the way something is done

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

method

noun
meth·​od | \ ˈme-thəd How to pronounce method (audio) \

Kids Definition of method

1 : a certain way of doing something She uses her own method of teaching.
2 : careful arrangement His work lacks method.

method

noun
meth·​od | \ ˈmeth-əd How to pronounce method (audio) \

Medical Definition of method

: a procedure or process for attaining an object: as
a : a systematic procedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by or proper to a particular discipline — see scientific method

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