modus operandi

noun mo·dus ope·ran·di \ ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē , -ˌdī \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Definition of modus operandi

plural modi operandi play \ˈmō-ˌdē-, ˈmō-ˌdī-\

: a method of procedure

the best approach … was to do things through quiet persuasion, which was his modus operandi
—James Traub

especially : a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime

got her picture identified, discovered her modus operandi, and put a stakeout on her neighborhood
—Time

See modus operandi defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of modus operandi from the Web

That’s long been modus operandi at Silicon Valley’s most brand-conscious firms.

— theodore schleifer, Recode, "What’s so wrong with Silicon Valley investing in sin?," 9 July 2018
The decision by Kelly and other top White House aides to defend Porter from domestic-violence allegations is in keeping with Trump’s modus operandi.

— josh dawsey, Washington Post, "Senior White House official to resign after ex-wives’ allegations of abuse," 7 Feb. 2018
Each crime fit the same modus operandi including the suspect’s build and weapon description, the report said.

— john r. ellement, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston police arrest suspect in 24 armed robberies," 6 July 2018
Making demagogic declarations of trade war — and then letting the Goldman Sachs wing of the White House quietly defang his threats — seemed perfectly consistent with the president’s broader modus operandi.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Raises Taxes on Chinese Goods, Eyes Foreign Cars Next," 15 June 2018
What has become his modus operandi this year, Woods was left shaking his head and pondering what could have been after a round of golf, his latest being the third round of the Quicken Loans National.

— steve dimeglio, USA TODAY, "Tiger Woods frustrated after inconsistent third round at Quicken Loans National," 30 June 2018
But what should stir up even greater righteous indignation is the fact that separating children from their parents and tearing apart families in the name of the state is our modus operandi.

— jenn m. jackson, Teen Vogue, "Separating Children From Parents is Shocking And Inhumane — It Is Also An American Tradition," 22 June 2018
Exact calculations are his modus operandi, not guesswork.

— stephen ruiz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Former UCF rower trades in boat for running shoes," 5 June 2018
Shortly before Cambridge Analytica’s collapse, undercover journalists at Channel 4 News, in London, secretly recorded Turnbull describing his modus operandi.

— ed caesar, The New Yorker, "The Reputation-Laundering Firm That Ruined Its Own Reputation," 25 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of modus operandi

New Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1654

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance

MODUS OPERANDI Defined for English Language Learners

modus operandi

noun

Definition of modus operandi for English Language Learners

: a usual way of doing something; especially : the usual way that a particular criminal performs a crime

Law Dictionary

modus operandi

noun mo·dus ope·ran·di \ ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē, -ˌdī \

legal Definition of modus operandi

: a distinct pattern or method of operation especially that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime

Origin and Etymology of modus operandi

New Latin, manner of operating

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modus operandi

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modus operandi

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