gedankenexperiment

noun

ge·​dank·​en·​ex·​per·​i·​ment gə-ˈdäŋ-kən-ik-ˌsper-ə-mənt How to pronounce gedankenexperiment (audio)
 also  -ˌspir-
: an experiment carried out in thought only

Examples of gedankenexperiment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Around the same time, a group in Shenzhen also contacted us to discuss carrying out our gedankenexperiment with optical systems. Marc-Olivier Renou, Scientific American, 13 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

German, from Gedanke thought + Experiment experiment

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gedankenexperiment was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near gedankenexperiment

Cite this Entry

“Gedankenexperiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gedankenexperiment. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

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