METHOD Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
noun
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a procedure, technique, or way of doing something, especially in accordance with a definite plan.
There are three possible methods of repairing this motor.
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a manner or mode of procedure, especially an orderly, logical, or systematic way of instruction, inquiry, investigation, experiment, presentation, etc..
the empirical method of inquiry.
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order or system in doing anything.
to work with method.
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orderly or systematic arrangement, sequence, or the like.
- Synonyms:
- disposition
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Also called Stanislavski Method. Also called Stanislavski System. the Method. a theory and technique of acting in which the performer identifies with the character to be portrayed and renders the part in a naturalistic, nondeclamatory, and highly individualized manner.
adjective
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(usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or employing the Method.
a Method actor;
Method acting.
method 1 British
/ ˈmɛθəd /
noun
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a way of proceeding or doing something, esp a systematic or regular one
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orderliness of thought, action, etc
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(often plural) the techniques or arrangement of work for a particular field or subject
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Leisure:Bell-ringing any of several traditional sets of changes See major minor
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Method 2 British
/ ˈmɛθəd /
noun
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(sometimes not capital)
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a technique of acting based on the theories of Stanislavsky, in which the actor bases his role on the inner motivation of the character he plays
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( as modifier )
a Method actor
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"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Related Words
Method, mode, way imply a manner in which a thing is done or in which it happens. Method refers to a settled kind of procedure, usually according to a definite, established, logical, or systematic plan: the open-hearth method of making steel; one method of solving a problem. Mode is a more formal word that implies a customary or characteristic fashion of doing something: Kangaroos have a peculiar mode of carrying their young. Way, a word in popular use for the general idea, is equivalent to various more specific words: someone's way (manner) of walking; the best way (method) of rapid calculating; the way (mode) of holding a pen.
Other Word Forms
- antimethod adjective
- methodless adjective
Etymology
Origin of method
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English: “medical procedure,” Latin methodus, from Greek méthodos “systematic course,” equivalent to met- meta- + hodós “way, road”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Domingues believes working on “Aquarius” was instrumental in developing his casting method, which involves searching for the least obvious option to cast the character.
From Los Angeles Times
The company is now looking at the industrialization of that method to bring the technological advancement to its customers in a process that will take years.
SLR, a long-established space geodetic method, works by firing laser pulses between satellites and ground stations to measure distances with high precision.
From Science Daily
To provide a more comprehensive picture, the team analyzed national data from 2000 through 2018 using a method known as "continuous proximity."
From Science Daily
The team confirmed their results using several different methods.
From Science Daily
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.