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operationalism

[ op-uh-rey-shuh-nl-iz-uhm ]

noun

, Philosophy.
  1. the doctrine that the meaning of a scientific term, concept, or proposition consists of the operation or operations performed in defining or demonstrating it.


operationalism

/ ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəˌlɪzəm; ˌɒpəˈreɪʃəˌnɪzəm /

noun

  1. philosophy the theory that scientific terms are defined by the experimental operations which determine their applicability
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˌoperˌationalˈistic, adjective
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Other Words From

  • op·er·a·tion·al·ist noun
  • op·er·a·tion·al·is·tic adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of operationalism1

First recorded in 1930–35; operational + -ism
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Example Sentences

Other philosophers found this way of thinking — known as operationalism — an intellectual cop‐out.

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operational calculusoperationalize