theory
[ thee-uh-ree, theer-ee ]
/ ˈθi ə ri, ˈθɪər i /
noun, plural the·o·ries.
Idioms for theory
in theory,
ideally; hypothetically: In theory, mapping the human genome may lead to thousands of cures.
Origin of theory
1590–1600; < Late Latin
theōria < Greek
theōría a viewing, contemplating, equivalent to
theōr(eîn) to view +
-ia
-y3
synonym study for theory
1, 2. In technical or scientific use,
Theory,
principle, and
law represent established, evidence-based explanations accounting for currently known facts or phenomena or for historically verified experience:
the theory of relativity,
the germ theory of disease,
the law of supply and demand,
the principle of conservation of energy. Often the word
law is used in reference to scientific facts that can be reduced to a mathematical formula:
Newton's laws of motion. In these contexts the terms
theory and
law often appear in well-established, fixed phrases and are not interchangeable. In both technical and nontechnical contexts,
theory can also be synonymous with
hypothesis, a conjecture put forth as a possible explanation of phenomena or relations, serving as a basis for thoughtful discussion and subsequent collection of data or engagement in scientific experimentation in order to rule out alternative explanations and reach the truth. In these contexts of early speculation, the words
theory and
hypothesis are often substitutable for one another:
Remember, this idea is only a theory/hypothesis;
Pasteur's experiments helped prove the theory/hypothesis that germs cause disease. Obviously, certain theories that start out as hypothetical eventually receive enough supportive data and scientific findings to become established, verified explanations. Although they retain the term
theory in their names, they have evolved from mere conjecture to scientifically accepted fact.
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH theory
hypothesis law theory (see synonym study at the current entry)Words nearby theory
Example sentences from the Web for theory
British Dictionary definitions for theory
theory
/ (ˈθɪərɪ) /
noun plural -ries
a system of rules, procedures, and assumptions used to produce a result
abstract knowledge or reasoning
a speculative or conjectural view or idea
I have a theory about that
an ideal or hypothetical situation (esp in the phrase in theory)
a set of hypotheses related by logical or mathematical arguments to explain and predict a wide variety of connected phenomena in general terms
the theory of relativity
a nontechnical name for hypothesis (def. 1)
Word Origin for theory
C16: from Late Latin
theōria, from Greek: a sight, from
theōrein to gaze upon
Medical definitions for theory
theory
[ thē′ə-rē, thîr′ē ]
n.
A systematically organized body of knowledge applicable in a relatively wide variety of circumstances, especially a system of assumptions, accepted principles, and rules of procedure devised to analyze, predict, or otherwise explain the nature or behavior of a specified set of phenomena.
Abstract reasoning; speculation.
Scientific definitions for theory
theory
[ thē′ə-rē, thîr′ē ]
A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena. Most theories that are accepted by scientists have been repeatedly tested by experiments and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena. See Note at hypothesis.
Cultural definitions for theory
theory
In science, an explanation or model that covers a substantial group of occurrences in nature and has been confirmed by a substantial number of experiments and observations. A theory is more general and better verified than a hypothesis. (See Big Bang theory, evolution, and relativity.)