epistemology

noun

epis·​te·​mol·​o·​gy i-ˌpi-stə-ˈmä-lə-jē 

: the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge especially with reference to its limits and validity

epistemologist

i-ˌpi-stə-ˈmä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of epistemology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That distinction between measurement and narrative is what defines your portfolio epistemology. —Barry Cousins, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Often, when Trump has undermined confidence in America’s shared epistemology, doing so has rebounded to his advantage. —Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025

The multichannel interactive video installations of Gillette, who had been part of a circle surrounding Marshall McLuhan (then briefly teaching at Fordham University), reflected his own concerns with ecology, media theory, and notions of experimental epistemology. —David A. Ross, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2025

The question is seldom raised, and the autobiographical remarks usually ignored, for traditional readings of Kant focus on his epistemology, or theory of knowledge. —Susan Neiman, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek epistḗmē "skill, expertise, knowledge" + -o- + -logy, initially as translation of German Wissenschaftslehre — more at epistemic

First Known Use

circa 1856, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for epistemology

• bacteriology
• biotechnology
• dialectology
• ecclesiology
• endocrinology
• geochronology
• geomorphology
• histopathology
• hydrogeology
• kinesiology
• meteorology
• microbiology