pragmatism
Use Pragmatism in a sentence
məˌtɪz noun
1.
character or conduct that emphasizes practicality.
2.
a philosophical movement or system having various forms, but generally stressing practical consequences as constituting the essential criterion in determining meaning, truth, or value.
Compare pragmaticism, instrumentalism.
Related forms
prag·ma·tis·tic, adjective
an·ti·prag·ma·tism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To pragmatism
Collins
World English Dictionary
pragmatism (ˈpræɡməˌtɪzəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | action or policy dictated by consideration of the immediate practical consequences rather than by theory or dogma |
| 2. | philosophy |
| a. the doctrine that the content of a concept consists only in its practical applicability | |
| b. See also instrumentalism the doctrine that truth consists not in correspondence with the facts but in successful coherence with experience | |
| 'pragmatist | |
| —n, —adj | |
| pragma'tistic | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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00:10
Pragmatism
is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
| a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
pragmatism
"matter-of-fact treatment," 1872, from Gk. pragmat-, stem of pragma (see pragmatic). As a philosophical doctrine, 1898, said to be from 1870s. Probably from Ger. Pragmatismus. As a political theory, from 1951.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
pragmatism prag·ma·tism (prāg'mə-tĭz'əm)
n.
A way of approaching situations or solving problems that emphasizes practical applications and consequences.
prag·mat'ic (-māt'ĭk) adj.
prag'ma·tist n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
pragmatism definition
An approach to philosophy, primarily held by American philosophers, which holds that the truth or meaning of a statement is to be measured by its practical (i.e., pragmatic) consequences. William James and John Dewey were pragmatists.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
If so, somewhere in there pragmatism and a commitment to full parental responsibility did part ways.
Part of their pragmatism is to try to avoid an open clash with the ideologues.
Or, put more briefly, because language choice isn't sheer pragmatism.
His willingness to consider a guest-worker program today is based on pragmatism.
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