1
: a procedure or process for attaining an object: such as
a(1)
: a systematic procedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by or proper to a particular discipline or art
(2)
: a systematic plan followed in presenting material for instruction
the lecture method
b(1)
: a way, technique, or process of or for doing something
… often slow in their business methods …—
T. R. Ybarra
T. R. Ybarra
(2)
: a body of skills or techniques
… in the art of the novel, heavily armed with method.—J. D. Scott
J. D. Scott2
: a discipline that deals with the principles and techniques of scientific inquiry see also scientific method
3
a
formal
: orderly arrangement, development, or classification : plan
The book is completely lacking in method.
b
: the habitual practice of orderliness and regularity
… time enough to do everything if only you used method.—Angela Thirkell
Angela Thirkell4
Method
: a dramatic technique by which an actor seeks to gain complete identification with the inner personality of the character being portrayed see also method actor
Examples of method in a Sentence
He claims to have developed a new method for growing tomatoes.
Their teaching method tries to adapt lessons to each student.
We need to adopt more modern methods of doing things.
Recent Examples on the Web
This is not so much an attempt at finding exact parallels between Saunders literary choices and our audio ones, but of using his methods to find deeper layers of meaning.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Modern classical algorithms use other methods but remain inefficient because the execution time increases exponentially with the size of the number to be factored.
—Zeeya Merali, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
The easiest method for home gardeners is to take cuttings.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Colossal said that beyond their de-extinction method, the hatched chicks are important because bird species are in sharp decline.
—CBS News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for method
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Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Modern classical algorithms use other methods but remain inefficient because the execution time increases exponentially with the size of the number to be factored.
—Zeeya Merali, Scientific American, 19 May 2026
The easiest method for home gardeners is to take cuttings.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Colossal said that beyond their de-extinction method, the hatched chicks are important because bird species are in sharp decline.
—CBS News, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for method
Cite this Entry
“Method.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/method. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
method
noun
meth·od
ˈmeth-əd 
1
: a way, plan, or procedure for doing something
2
: orderly arrangement
Medical Definition
method
noun
meth·od
ˈmeth-əd
: a procedure or process for attaining an object: as
a
: a systematic procedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by or proper to a particular discipline see scientific method
b
: a way, technique, or process of or for doing something
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