method

noun

meth·od | \ ˈme-thəd

Definition of method

1 : a procedure or process for attaining an object: such as

a(1) : a systematic procedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by or proper to a particular discipline or art

(2) : a systematic plan followed in presenting material for instruction the lecture method

b(1) : a way, technique, or process of or for doing something often slow in their business methods— T. R. Ybarra

(2) : a body of skills or techniques in the art of the novel, heavily armed with method— J. D. Scott

2 : a discipline that deals with the principles and techniques of scientific inquiry

3a : orderly arrangement, development, or classification : plan The book is completely lacking in method.

b : the habitual practice of orderliness and regularity time enough to do everything if only you used method— Angela Thirkell

4 capitalized : a dramatic technique by which an actor seeks to gain complete identification with the inner personality of the character being portrayed

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about method

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Choose the Right Synonym for method

method, mode, manner, way, fashion, system mean the means taken or procedure followed in achieving an end. method implies an orderly logical arrangement usually in steps. effective teaching methods mode implies an order or course followed by custom, tradition, or personal preference. the preferred mode of transportation manner is close to mode but may imply a procedure or method that is individual or distinctive. an odd manner of conducting way is very general and may be used for any of the preceding words. has her own way of doing things fashion may suggest a peculiar or characteristic way of doing something. rushing about in his typical fashion system suggests a fully developed or carefully formulated method often emphasizing rational orderliness. a filing system

Examples of method in a Sentence

He claims to have developed a new method for growing tomatoes. Their teaching method tries to adapt lessons to each student. We need to adopt more modern methods of doing things.

Recent Examples on the Web

Much of the medical advice about marijuana, from dosage to strain to delivery method, is not based on rigorous studies in humans. — Amanda Chicago Lewis, WSJ, "The Clinic That Helps Seniors Find the Right Marijuana Treatment," 11 July 2019 The 300-page environmental document produced by federal researchers analyzed and dismissed dozens of other possible mouse control methods, including feral cats, snakes, trapping and sterilization. — Peter Fimrite, SFChronicle.com, "Coastal Commission to consider poisoning mice to restore balance on Farallon Islands," 10 July 2019 Jerk is a dish, a method of cooking, and a history, all at once. — Rand Richards Cooper, courant.com, "Review: Saz Jamaican Restaurant, Newington," 10 July 2019 The most common method, mechanical cotton recycling, or the process by which old clothes are chopped up and turned back into raw material, weakens the fabric by shortening the staple length of the fibers. — Sangeeta Singh-kurtz, Quartzy, "Adidas’ liquefiable sweatshirt shows how hard it is to recycle clothes," 9 July 2019 Prior to the advent of photography, the main method of preserving one’s likeness was posing for a painting or sculpture—a decidedly expensive process accessible only to those in the upper echelons of society. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "How the Camera Introduced Americans to Their Heroines," 9 July 2019 Others might not know that the weirder-looking the fruit or vegetable, the more likely that it was grown using natural methods, instead of being engineered to look perfect. — Allison Steele, Twin Cities, "Misshapen vegetables and puny fruits: Why weird-looking produce is becoming big business," 9 July 2019 And for many people, who have normal, non-obsessive organizational methods, a short to-do list can supplement a poor memory. — Olivia Goldhill, Quartz at Work, "The overwhelming burden of to-do lists can destroy all meaningful activity," 7 July 2019 Still, the emerging methods for producing biodegradable plastic offer a perfect example of how greener solvents and more effective biocatalysts can contribute to generating a circular economy in a major industry. — Javier Garcia Martinez, Scientific American, "Bioplastics Could Solve a Major Pollution Problem," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'method.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.