metaphysics

noun

meta·​phys·​ics ˌme-tə-ˈfi-ziks 

plural in form but singular in construction

1

a(1)

: a division of philosophy that is concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and being and that includes ontology, cosmology, and often epistemology

metaphysics … analyzes the generic traits manifested by existences of any kind

—J. H. Randall

(2)

: ontology sense 2

b

: abstract philosophical studies : a study of what is outside objective experience

steered philosophy away from metaphysics and toward the disciplines of natural science and linguistics

—Time

2

: metaphysic sense 2

Did you know?

Just as physics deals with the laws that govern the physical world (such as those of gravity or the properties of waves), metaphysics describes what is beyond physics—the nature and origin of reality itself, the immortal soul, and the existence of a supreme being. Opinions about these metaphysical topics vary widely, since what's being discussed can't be observed or measured or even truly known to exist. So most metaphysical questions are still as far from a final answer as they were when Plato and Aristotle were asking them.

Examples of metaphysics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a stark break from Kant, idealistic principles are of no concern to Pragmatics as there are no metaphysics involved. —Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Drawing on a unique educational foundation that combines mechanical engineering, business, metaphysics, and computer science, Gopi connects patterns that others might miss through his academic research. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 16 May 2025

Unlike his compatriots, Eversley brought science and metaphysics to bear in his explorations of light, routinely applying centripetal force to create sleek, luminous works whose transparent forms radiate a crystalline energy that can seem cool and warm at the same time. —News Desk, Artforum, 24 Mar. 2025

She is caught up in an awareness of the marmots—of a concurrent marmot universe, of a concurrent marmot metaphysics. —Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin Metaphysica, title of Aristotle's treatise on the subject, from Greek (ta) meta (ta) physika, literally, the (works) after the physical (works); from its position in his collected works

First Known Use

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Rhymes for metaphysics

• astrophysics
• geophysics
• physics
• tectonophysics

Kids Definition

metaphysics

noun

meta·​phys·​ics ˌmet-ə-ˈfiz-iks 

: the part of philosophy concerned with the ultimate causes and basic nature of things

Etymology

from Latin Metaphysica, title given to a work by Aristotle on the subject, from Greek (ta) meta (ta) physika, literally, "the (works) after the physical (works)"; so called because this section came after the section on physics and physical nature in a collection of Aristotle's collected writings