Occam

or Ock·ham

[ ok-uhm ]

noun

1. William of, died 1349?, English scholastic philosopher.

Occam

/ ˈɒkəm /

noun

1. a variant spelling of (William of) Ockham

Other Words From

• Occam·ism noun
• Occam·ist Occam·ite noun
• Occam·istic adjective

Example Sentences

It’s possible he's a true believer in this nonsense, but Occam's razor suggests that when politicians tell lies they do so for their own benefit.

From Salon

The pat dismissal of what appears to be obvious is suspicious in itself, and part of the reason that millions of boys are internalizing the Occam’s razor solution: They’re simply inferior.

From Salon

The scientific establishment, and more important its financial backers, have to use Occam’s razor and assume the latter — that the particle-accelerator game has somehow become rigged, and is therefore useless.

From New York Times

The puzzle here might have been solved by the application of Occam’s razor, had all the variables been known at the time.

From New York Times

The principle of Occam's razor, which holds that the simplest explanation for any phenomenon is most likely the right one, applies here.

From Salon