paradigm

American  

[par-uh-dahym, -dim] / ˈpær əˌdaɪm, -dɪm /

noun

1. 1. a framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community.

   2. such a cognitive framework shared by members of any discipline or group.

      The company’s business paradigm needs updating for a new generation.

2. Informal. a general mental model or framework for anything.

   Their first album completely blew apart my paradigm for what rock music could be.

3. an example serving as a model for others to imitate; pattern.

   Pelham Dairy’s 10-year aged cheddar is the paradigm of cheddars.

   Synonyms:

   touchstone, paragon, ideal, standard, mold

4. a typical or representative instance or example.

   His experimentalism and iconoclastic attitude towards the past make Picasso a paradigm of 20th century painting.

5. Grammar.

   1. a set of forms all of which contain a particular element, especially the set of all inflected forms based on a single stem or theme.

   2. a display in fixed arrangement of such a set, as boy, boy's, boys, boys'.

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paradigm British  

/ ˈpærəˌdaɪm, ˌpærədɪɡˈmætɪk /

noun

1. grammar the set of all the inflected forms of a word or a systematic arrangement displaying these forms

2. a pattern or model

3. a typical or stereotypical example (esp in the phrase paradigm case )

4. (in the philosophy of science) a very general conception of the nature of scientific endeavour within which a given enquiry is undertaken

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Other Word Forms

• paradigmatic adjective

Etymology

Origin of paradigm

First recorded in 1475–85; from Late Latin paradigma “example,” from Greek parádeigma “pattern, model, precedent, example” (derivative of paradeiknýnai “to show side by side, compare”), equivalent to para- preposition and prefix + deik-, root of deiknýnai “to show, bring to light, prove” + -ma noun suffix denoting the result of an action; para- ¹, deictic

Example Sentences

He walked away with a healed ankle and a conviction: AI was set to become not just a novel technology but a new paradigm.

From The Wall Street Journal

"If dark energy is not constant and it's getting weakened, this will change the whole paradigm of modern cosmology."

From BBC

“He was able to change the paradigm around leprosy treatment in this country.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors could choose to follow the same noise/overreaction paradigm in 2026, which means exiting next year with more gray hair—or less hair altogether.

From Barron's

Investors could choose to follow the same noise/overreaction paradigm in 2026, which means exiting next year with more gray hair—or less hair altogether.

From Barron's