paradigm

noun

par·​a·​digm ˈper-ə-ˌdīm 

ˈpa-rə-,

 also  -ˌdim

1

: a model for something that may be copied : example, pattern

Her book provides us with a new paradigm for modern biography.

especially : an exceptional example or archetype

an entrepreneur who became a paradigm of success

… regard science as the paradigm of true knowledge.

—G. C. J. Midgley

2

: a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated

the Freudian paradigm of psychoanalysis

… the extraordinary complexity of Darwin's explanatory paradigm.

—Ernst Mayr

… a paradigm shift [=a major change in which the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way] much like the one precipitated by Copernicus when he showed that the earth wasn't the center of the universe.

—The Omni Interviews

broadly : a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind

There are some issues to overcome before this new paradigm becomes the accepted business practice.

—Bruce Hughes

3

grammar : an example of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its inflectional forms

paradigmatic

ˌper-ə-dig-ˈma-tik 

ˌpa-rə-

adjective

paradigmatically

ˌper-ə-dig-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌpa-rə-

adverb

Did you know?

Paradigm comes from the Greek verb paradeiknynai, meaning “to show side by side.” It has been used in English to mean “example” or “pattern” since the 15th century. There is debate, however, about what kind of example qualifies as a paradigm. Some people say it’s a typical example, while others insist it must be an outstanding or perfect example. The scientific community has added to the confusion by using paradigm to mean “a theoretical framework,” a sense popularized by American scientist Thomas S. Kuhn in the second edition of his influential book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, published in 1970. Some usage commentators now advise avoiding the term entirely on the grounds that it is overused, but we contend that it can sometimes make a useful, conversation-enriching replacement for idea, theory, or concept, as in “an article about sandwiches that shifts the paradigm by including hot dogs.”

Examples of paradigm in a Sentence

And the paradigm of a thing to be philosophical about is death. —Jim Holt, New York Times Book Review, 15 Feb. 2009

Such problems drive home a critical flaw in the paradigm of energy independence—namely, that energy isn't a zero-sum game anymore. —Paul Roberts, Mother Jones, May/June 2008

That the biomedical paradigm of single cause and single disease was a chimera was well understood by even its most vigorous advocates. —Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, 2007

Her recent book provides us with a new paradigm for modern biography.

the Freudian paradigm of psychoanalysis

a new study that challenges the current evolutionary paradigm

Recent Examples on the Web

As such, Mahama’s term coincides with a new paradigm for Africa. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025

With apologies to those who love to tell a stoner story, this new paradigm means fewer high jinks and less rebellion. —Kate Bernot, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025

LinkCraft changes this paradigm. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025

Who better than the Americans to lead the fascist renaissance, set the paradigm, order the preemptive strikes? —Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin paradigma, from Greek paradeigma, from paradeiknynai to show side by side, from para- + deiknynai to show — more at diction

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for paradigm

• aforetime
• allozyme
• anytime
• christmastime
• cybercrime
• dinnertime
• guggenheim
• isozyme
• lysozyme
• maritime
• mesenchyme
• overtime

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Kids Definition

paradigm

noun

par·​a·​digm ˈpar-ə-ˌdīm 

-ˌdim

1

: an example showing how something is to be done : model

2

: an example of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its inflectional forms

paradigmatic

ˌpar-ə-dig-ˈmat-ik 

adjective