method

noun meth·od \ ˈme-thəd \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: method in a Sentence

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

3 a : 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

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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 of method from the Web

This is the Bryson DeChambeau experience—a steadfast, perhaps headstrong insistence of sticking to his methods.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, "Bryson DeChambeau, the Game’s Ultimate Tactician, Tested in Opening Round at Shinnecock," 14 June 2018
Not all those who are assigned or volunteer to staff a camp can reconcile its aims with its methods.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "A Retreat’s Risky Lessons," 14 June 2018
The 18-year-old has recently gone viral for her method of covering her birthmark in glitter, turning it into a work of art.

— leah prinzivalli, Teen Vogue, "Teenager Uses Glitter Makeup to Embrace Facial Birthmark," 13 June 2018
Their new method looked at unusual patterns of gas flowing in the disk to find the telltale signs of planets.

— ashley strickland, CNN, "Three 'baby' planets found forming around newborn star," 13 June 2018
Some noted that Carlisle’s paper had come under criticism when it was published, in part because its methods assumed certain variables, like height and weight, are unrelated.

— jennifer couzin-frankel, Science | AAAS, "Following charges of flawed statistics, major medical journal sets the record straight," 13 June 2018
Not surprisingly, the notoriously secretive Astros aren’t particularly forthright with explaining their methods, for fear of losing their advantage over their competitors.

— jared diamond, WSJ, "The Pitching Staff Threatening to Rewrite Baseball’s Record Books," 6 June 2018
Their method involves catching fish inside a container with a trap door, then placing that container inside a water filter housing.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Clever New Invention Can Bring Bizarre-Looking Fish Up From the Deep Ocean," 5 June 2018
One of the hallmarks of Donald Trump’s political rise has been his ability to tap into a persistent sense that only the police can protect the population from any number of threats, and that their most violent methods are the most effective ones.

— mychal denzel smith, The New Republic, "How America became over-policed," 5 June 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of method

Middle English, prescribed treatment, from Latin methodus, from Greek methodos, from meta- + hodos way

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

method Synonyms

Synonyms

approach, fashion, form, how, manner, methodology, recipe, strategy, style, system, tack, tactics, technique, way;

Related Words

mode, modus operandi;

blueprint, design, game, game plan, ground plan, intrigue, layout, line, model, plan, plot, program, route, scheme;

expedient, move, shift, step;

practice (also practise), process, routine;

policy;

Synonym Discussion of 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.