subjectivity

noun sub·jec·tiv·i·ty \ (ˌ)səb-ˌjek-ˈti-və-tē \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Definition of subjectivity

: the quality, state, or nature of being subjective

Any attempt to link landscapes and music together can suffer from some measure of subjectivity.
—David J. Keeling

He thinks that scientists and philosophers have unjustly neglected the subjectivity of conscious experience and that this has made it harder for them to explain some of the workings of the mind.
—Anthony Gottlieb

Recent Examples of subjectivity from the Web

On-field reviews have been efficient, and while subjectivity still exists (many feel that’s a good thing), several game-changing plays have been reviewed and adjudicated accurately thanks to the technology.

— brian straus, SI.com, "The World Cup of Chaos: Looking Back on a Group Stage for the Ages," 29 June 2018
In a high-stakes industry where competitive edges are built on subjectivity and interpretation, here comes a cold and uncomfortable and airtight point straight from the mouth of a rival scout.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Here's why the Royals should at least be open to trading Salvador Perez," 15 June 2018
Part of this is to illustrate the subjectivity of narrative.

— gary thompson, Philly.com, "'American Animals': Rebellious cool as white privilege in this inventive take on true crime," 7 June 2018
Drone data removes the subjectivity from field observations.

— Scientific American, "Agriculture’s Improving Image," 7 May 2018
Shooting with a handheld camera, Midi Z is present only as a disembodied, deadpan voice offscreen (except in a scene where he is being treated for virulent malaria), creating an observational subjectivity that makes the viewer part of the story.

— peter keough, BostonGlobe.com, "Gender-bending ballet, ground-breaking theater, and Burmese brothers," 31 May 2018
And hopefully this rule is spelled out more clearly than the former catch rule, so that the ambiguity and subjectivity will be lessened.

— jonathan jones, SI.com, "NFL’s New Targeting Rule About to Cause a World of Officiating Chaos," 22 May 2018
That’s because there is an element of subjectivity in judging writing — what appeals to one person might not appeal as strongly to another.

— james vaznis, BostonGlobe.com, "Mass. ponders hiring a computer to grade MCAS essays. What could go wrong?," 21 May 2018
The subjectivity of its voting system has contributed to the Grammys' history of snubbing hip-hop and R&B artists, especially in the general categories.

— refinery29.com, "Why The Billboard Music Awards Are Better Than The Grammys," 14 May 2018

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

First Known Use of subjectivity

1803

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

subjectivity

noun sub·jec·tiv·i·ty \ ˌsəb-jek-ˈtiv-ət-ē \

medical Definition of subjectivity

plural subjectivities

1 : subjective character, quality, state, or nature

2 : the personal qualities of an investigator that affect the outcome of scientific or medical research (as by unconsciously communicating a bias to the subject of the experiment)