operationalism
noun
op·er·a·tion·al·ism ˌä-pə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nə-ˌli-zəm 
: a view that the concepts or terms used in nonanalytic scientific statements must be definable in terms of identifiable and repeatable operations
operationalist
ˌä-pə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nə-list
noun operationalistic
ˌä-pə-ˌrā-sh(ə-)nə-ˈli-stik
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Other philosophers found this way of thinking — known as operationalism — an intellectual cop‐out. 
Quanta Magazine, 9 Mar. 2021 Smith and other foes of operationalism complain that such definitions rely on what a group of people generally agree on. Quanta Magazine, 9 Mar. 2021
Quanta Magazine, 9 Mar. 2021 Smith and other foes of operationalism complain that such definitions rely on what a group of people generally agree on. Quanta Magazine, 9 Mar. 2021 Word History
Etymology
operational + -ism
First Known Use
1930, in the meaning defined above
- ulteriorly
- ultest
- ultima
- ultima ratio
- ultima ratio regum
- ultima Thule
- ultimacies
- ultimacy
- ultimas
- ultimata
- ultimate
- ultimate analysis
- ultimate destination
- Ultimate Frisbee
- ultimate line
- ultimate mortality table
- ultimate reality
- ultimate tensile strength
- ultimated
- ultimately
- ultimateness
- ultimatenesses
- ultimates
- ultimating
- ultimation