reductionism

1 of 2

noun (1)

re·​duc·​tion·​ism ri-ˈdək-shə-ˌni-zəm 

1

: explanation of complex life-science processes and phenomena in terms of the laws of physics and chemistry

also : a theory or doctrine that complete reductionism is possible

2

: a procedure or theory that reduces complex data and phenomena to simple terms

reductionist

ri-ˈdək-sh(ə-)nist 

noun or adjective

reductionistic

ri-ˌdək-shə-ˈni-stik 

adjective

reductionist

2 of 2

noun (2)

re·​duc·​tion·​ist ri-ˈdək-sh(ə-)nist 

plural -s

: an advocate of reduction or reductionism

Examples of reductionism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

McClintock’s colleagues, obsessed with scientific reductionism, scoffed at her near-spiritual dedication to understanding organismal biology in its fullness and complexity. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026

Non-reductionism requires magic, not merely science. — Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026

The end goal of reductionism was to explain everything in the universe as the result of particles and their interactions. — Adam Frank, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025

Yet, calling Sanoë purely a jacket brand would be a form of reductionism. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1925, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for reductionism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism

Medical Definition

reductionism

noun

re·​duc·​tion·​ism ri-ˈdək-shə-ˌniz-əm 

1

: the attempt to explain all biological processes by the same explanations (as by physical laws) that chemists and physicists use to interpret inanimate matter

also : the theory that complete reductionism is possible

2

: a procedure or theory that reduces complex data or phenomena to simple terms

reductionist

-sh(ə-)nəst 

adjective

or reductionistic

-ˌdək-shə-ˈnis-tik