operationalism

or op·er·a·tion·ism

[ op-uh-rey-shuh-nl-iz-uh m or op-uh-rey-shuh-niz-uh m ]
/ ˌɒp əˈreɪ ʃə nlˌɪz əm or ˌɒp əˈreɪ ʃəˌnɪz əm /

noun Philosophy.

the doctrine that the meaning of a scientific term, concept, or proposition consists of the operation or operations performed in defining or demonstrating it.

Origin of operationalism

First recorded in 1930–35; operational + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM operationalism

op·er·a·tion·al·ist, noun op·er·a·tion·al·is·tic, adjective

Words nearby operationalism

operation overlord, operation sealion, operational, operational amplifier, operational calculus, operationalism, operations research, operations room, operative, operatize, operator

British Dictionary definitions for operationalism

operationalism

operationism (ˌɒpəˈreɪʃəˌnɪzəm)

/ (ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

philosophy the theory that scientific terms are defined by the experimental operations which determine their applicability

Derived forms of operationalism

operationalistic, adjective