paradigm

noun par·a·digm \ˈper-ə-ˌdīm, ˈpa-rə- also -ˌdim\

: a model or pattern for something that may be copied

: a theory or a group of ideas about how something should be done, made, or thought about

Full Definition of PARADIGM

: example, pattern; especially : an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype

: an example of a conjugation or declension showing a word in all its inflectional forms

: a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated; broadly : a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind

— par·a·dig·mat·ic \ˌper-ə-dig-ˈma-tik, ˌpa-rə-\ adjective

— par·a·dig·mat·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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Examples of PARADIGM

And the paradigm of a thing to be philosophical about is death. —Jim Holt, New York Times Book Review, 15 Feb. 2009
Such problems drive home a critical flaw in the paradigm of energy independence—namely, that energy isn't a zero-sum game anymore. —Paul Roberts, Mother Jones, May/June 2008
That the biomedical paradigm of single cause and single disease was a chimera was well understood by even its most vigorous advocates. —Allan M. Brandt, The Cigarette Century, 2007
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