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Definition of theory
theories
1 : a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena the wave theory of light
2a : a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action her method is based on the theory that all children want to learnb : an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances —often used in the phrase in theory in theory, we have always advocated freedom for all
3a : a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigationb : an unproved assumption : conjecturec : a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject theory of equations
4 : the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art music theory
5 : abstract thought : speculation
6 : the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another
From the M-W Editors
Examples of theory in a Sentence
The immune surveillance theory of cancer holds that in a way we all do have cancer, that a healthy immune system fights off rogue cells as they appear. —Sallie Tisdale, Harper's, June 2007
The family's theory was that the cheating businessmen somehow framed their brother. —Eliza Griswold, Harper's, September 2006
The theory of the teacher with all these immigrant kids was that if you spoke English loudly enough they would eventually understand. —E. L. Doctorow, Loon Lake, (1979) 1980
While strolling around, we kept the run of the moon all the time, and we still kept an eye on her after we got back to the hotel portico. I had a theory that the gravitation of refraction, being subsidiary to atmospheric compensation, the refrangibility of the earth's surface would emphasize this effect in regions where great mountain ranges occur, and possibly so even-handed impact the odic and idyllic forces together, the one upon the other, as to prevent the moon from rising higher than 12,200 feet above sea-level. This daring theory had been received with frantic scorn by some of my fellow-scientists, and with an eager silence by others. —Mark Twain, A Tramp Abroad, 1880
a widely accepted scientific theory
Her method is based on the theory that all children want to learn.
There are a number of different theories about the cause of the disease.
She proposed a theory of her own.
Investigators rejected the theory that the death was accidental.
There is no evidence to support such a theory.
He is a specialist in film theory and criticism.
Recent Examples of theory from the Web
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In theory, then, small businesses, individuals or groups could band together and buy coverage, gaining bargaining leverage with more people.
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Supporters of that theory have visited the island repeatedly.
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Researchers may come to rely on computers not only to do the science, but also to explain it: Some evidence for biological theories may be so complex that accepting it requires faith in the computation.
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Here are men who were willing to fight a revolution over abstract legal theory — for principle and for birthright.
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Third Way’s new study is an interesting contribution to the debate that’s now raging among elite Democrats about what the party’s theory of the case should be going into 2018.
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But the continued focus on the election (and on baseless conspiracy theories that illegal votes handed Hillary Clinton a popular-vote win) also serves as a way for Trump to assert the legitimacy of his election.
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Some commenters speculated that there are simply fewer images of William holding Charlotte, as Duchess Kate is most often seen holding their daughter (although, one user proved this theory wrong).
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Also, Legg gave theory medals to Alex, Dani, Max, Kaley, Alec and Morgan.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'theory'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Two related, yet distinct, meanings of theory
There are many shades of meaning to the word theory. Most of these are used without difficulty, and we understand, based on the context in which they are found, what the intended meaning is. For instance, when we speak of music theory we understand it to be in reference to the underlying principles of the composition of music, and not in reference to some speculation about those principles.
However, there are two senses of theory which are sometimes troublesome. These are the senses which are defined as “a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena” and “an unproven assumption; conjecture.” The second of these is occasionally misapplied in cases where the former is meant, as when a particular scientific theory is derided as "just a theory," implying that it is no more than speculation or conjecture. One may certainly disagree with scientists regarding their theories, but it is an inaccurate interpretation of language to regard their use of the word as implying a tentative hypothesis; the scientific use of theory is quite different than the speculative use of the word.
Origin and Etymology of theory
Late Latin theoria, from Greek theōria, from theōrein
Synonym Discussion of theory
THEORY Defined for English Language Learners
theory
playDefinition of theory for English Language Learners
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: an idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain facts or events
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: an idea that is suggested or presented as possibly true but that is not known or proven to be true
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: the general principles or ideas that relate to a particular subject
THEORY Defined for Kids
theory
playDefinition of theory for Students
theories
1 : an idea or opinion that is presented as true Nobody knows where he went, but each of us has a theory. Perhaps they were formulating their own theories about how Cedric had died. — J. K. Rowling, Goblet of Fire
2 : a general rule offered to explain a scientific phenomenon the theory of gravity
3 : the general rules followed in a science or an art music theory
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of theory
theories
1: the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art the theory and practice of medicine
2: a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain natural phenomena a theory of organic evolution—see atomic theory, cell theory, germ theory
3: a working hypothesis that is considered probable based on experimental evidence or factual or conceptual analysis and is accepted as a basis for experimentation
Learn More about theory
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for theory Spanish Central: Translation of theory Nglish: Translation of theory for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of theory for Arabic speakers
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