paradigm
n. countablen. a typical example or model that others follow. In science, it describes a widely accepted framework for understanding a subject.
n. a model or pattern that serves as a basis for understanding a particular phenomenon. In linguistics, it denotes a set of grammatical rules and structures common to a language.
The scientific method is a paradigm for research.
Linguists use the Latin paradigm to teach verb conjugations.
In the 20th century, the shift from the Newtonian paradigm to the quantum paradigm revolutionized physics.
From Middle English paradygme, from Late Latin paradīgma, from Ancient Greek παράδειγμα (parádeigma, “pattern”), from παραδείκνυμι (paradeíknumi, “I show [beside] or compare”) + -μα (-ma, suffix forming nouns concerning the results of actions). Doublet of paradigma.
Often used in academic contexts; typically follows prepositions like 'of' or 'in'.
He is in a paradigmaHe is in a paradigmThe common plural form is 'paradigms', not 'paradigmas' — learners may incorrectly add an '-a' suffix due to Latin influence.