Overton window

noun

Over·​ton window ˈō-vər-tən- 

variants or less commonly Overton Window

plural Overton windows also Overton Windows

1

: the range of ideas or policies relating to politics or society that are considered moderate enough at a given time to be widely regarded as acceptable or possible to consider

—usually used with the

Political scientists have long noted how the Overton window—the range of acceptable discourse in a society—can shift depending on which ideas appear represented in that discourse.

—Adam Aleksic

Named for the late political scientist Joseph P. Overton, the Overton window is essentially the range of ideas or policies considered palatable for discussion at any given time.

—Richard Loren

2

: a model for understanding how political or social change takes place

—usually used with the

… The Overton Window, a political model for understanding how ideas in society change over time and which currents of thought breach the mainstream.

—Rachel McKenzie

Word History

Etymology

after Joseph P. Overton †2003 American political scientist who proposed the concept

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined at sense 1