Occam's razor

noun

1. the maxim that assumptions introduced to explain a thing must not be multiplied beyond necessity.

Occam's razor

noun

1. a variant spelling of Ockham's razor

Occam's razor

/ ŏk′əmz /

1. A rule in science and philosophy stating that entities should not be multiplied needlessly. This rule is interpreted to mean that the simplest of two or more competing theories is preferable and that an explanation for unknown phenomena should first be attempted in terms of what is already known. Occam's razor is named after the deviser of the rule, English philosopher and theologian William of Ockham (1285?–1349?).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Occam's razor¹

First recorded in 1900–05; after William of Occam