Dictionary
empirical
adjective em·pir·i·cal \im-ˈpir-i-kəl\
: based on testing or experience
Full Definition of EMPIRICAL
1
: originating in or based on observation or experience <empirical data>
2
: relying on experience or observation alone often without due regard for system and theory <an empirical basis for the theory>
3
: capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment <empirical laws>
See empirical defined for English-language learners
See empirical defined for kids
Variants of EMPIRICAL
em·pir·i·cal also em·pir·ic \-ik\
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of EMPIRICAL
- Eventually, access to electron microscopes and X-ray diffraction technology provided the necessary empirical evidence to test the hypotheses, and the jigsaw pieces began to fall into place. —Gail Nichols, Ceramics Monthly, February 2002
- No religion, new or old, is subject to empirical proof, so what we have is a contest between faiths. —Harvey Cox, Atlantic, March 1999
- [+]more
Origin of EMPIRICAL
(see empiric)
First Known Use: 1569
Related to EMPIRICAL
- Synonyms
- existential, experiential, experimental, objective, observational
- Antonyms
- nonempirical, theoretical (also theoretic), unempirical
Medical Dictionary
empirical
adjective em·pir·i·cal \-i-kəl\
Medical Definition of EMPIRICAL
1
archaic a : following or used in the practice of the empirics—compare rational 2 b : being or befitting a quack or charlatan
2
: originating in or based on observation or experiment <much medical lore had had an empirical origin…centuries of trial-and-error gropings after remedies—R. H. Shryock>
3
: capable of being confirmed, verified, or disproved by observation or experiment <empirical statements or laws>
—em·pir·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Variants of EMPIRICAL
em·pir·i·cal also em·pir·ic \-ik\
Learn More About EMPIRICAL
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: empirical formulaPrevious Word in the Dictionary: empiricAll Words Near: empirical
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up empirical? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).