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Occam

American  
[ok-uhm] / ˈɒk əm /
Or Ockham

noun

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


Occam British  
/ ˈɒkəm /

noun

  1. a variant spelling of (William of) Ockham

"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

Other Word Forms

  • Occamism noun
  • Occamist noun
  • Occamistic adjective
  • Occamite noun

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Doctors often invoke the principle of Occam’s razor, articulated by the 14th-century philosopher William of Occam, who posited that the simplest interpretation of any phenomenon is most likely the right one.

From New York Times • May 26, 2022

But the fact that the madness got this far must discourage old William of Occam.

From Washington Post • Dec. 11, 2020

If William of Occam, medieval philosopher, were transported by time-travel to the present moment, he might not find everything to be unfamiliar.

From Washington Post • Dec. 11, 2020

William of Occam would have hated conspiracy theories.

From Time • Oct. 15, 2017

Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, and Occam may also be mentioned as great schoolmen.

From History of Education by Seeley, Levi