method

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmɛθəd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛθəd
• Hyphenation: meth‧od

Etymology 1

From Middle French methode, from Latin methodus, from Ancient Greek μέθοδος (méthodos).

Noun

method (countable and uncountable, plural methods)

1. A process by which a task is completed; a way of doing something (followed by the adposition of, to or for before the purpose of the process).

   If one method doesn't work, you should ask a friend to help you.

   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act II, scene ii], page 261, column 2:

     Though this be madneſſe, / Yet there is Method in 't: […]

   • 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 3, in The Mirror and the Lamp‎^[1]:

     He at once secured attention by his informal method, and when presently the coughing of Jarvis […] interrupted the sermon, he altogether captivated his audience with a remark about cough lozenges being cheap and easily procurable.

   • 2013 May-June, William E. Conner, “An Acoustic Arms Race”, in American Scientist‎^[2], volume 101, number 3, page 206-7:

     Many insects probably use this strategy, which is a close analogy to crypsis in the visible world—camouflage and other methods for blending into one’s visual background.

   • Process definition

     A series of events which produce a result (the product). (1 of 9 process definitions)

   • Task definition

     A piece of work done as part of one’s duties. (1 of 6 task definitions)

   • Completed definition

     simple past tense and past participle of complete

   • Adposition definition

     An element that combines syntactically with a phrase and indicates how that phrase should be interpreted in the surrounding context; a preposition or postposition.

   • Of definition

     Expressing distance or motion.

     1. From (of distance, direction), "off".
     2. Since, from (a given time, earlier state etc.).
     3. From, away from (a position, number, distance etc.). (1 of 52 of definitions)

   • To definition

     ISO 639-1 language code for Tongan.

   • For definition

     Because, as, since.
2. (acting, often "the method") A technique for acting based on the ideas articulated by Konstantin Stanislavski and focusing on authentically experiencing the inner life of the character being portrayed.

   Synonym: method acting

   • 1989, Kenneth Branagh, Beginning, London: Chatto & Windus, →ISBN, page 64:

     In this case, the application of the famous method was a little shaky. To be fair, the director was dealing with a pretty stroppy cast.

   • Acting definition

     Temporarily assuming the duties or authority of another person when they are unable to do their job.

   • Method Acting definition

     An acting technique in which the actor fully immerses themselves into the character they are playing.
3. (object-oriented programming) A subroutine or function belonging to a class or object.

   Synonym: member function

   • 2006, David A. Black; David Heinemeier Hansson, Ruby for Rails: Ruby Techniques for Rails Developers, Manning, →ISBN, page 101:

     When you call the method, you provide values corresponding to these variables in your method call.

   • Object-Oriented Programming definition

     A programming paradigm that uses "objects" to design applications and computer programs.

   • Subroutine definition

     A section of code, called by the main body of a program, that implements a task.

   • Function definition

     What something does or is used for. (1 of 11 function definitions)

   • Class definition

     A group, collection, category or set sharing characteristics or attributes. (1 of 20 class definitions)

   • Object definition

     A thing that has physical existence. (1 of 9 object definitions)

   • Member Function definition

     A function that belongs to a class and can be called on instances of the object defined by that class.
4. (slang) Marijuana.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:marijuana

   • Marijuana definition

     The inflorescence of the Cannabis sativa plant, smoked or ingested for euphoric effect. (1 of 2 marijuana definitions)
5. (dated) An instruction book systematically arranged.

   • Instruction definition

     The act of instructing, teaching, or furnishing with information or knowledge. (1 of 5 instruction definitions)

   • Book definition

     A collection of sheets of paper bound together to hinge at one edge, containing printed or written material, pictures, etc. (1 of 17 book definitions)

Hyponyms

Translations

Verb

method (third-person singular simple present methods, present participle methoding, simple past and past participle methoded)

1. (transitive) To apply a method to.
   • 1809, Rachel Russell (baroness.), Letters. To which is prefixed, an intr. vindicating the character of lord ...

     "Says he, there is above ten thousand brisk boys are ready to follow me, whenever I hold up my finger : — Says I, how have you methoded this, that they shall not be crushed, for there will be a great force to oppose you?"

2. (casting, by extension, transitive) To apply particular treatment methods to (a mold).

   The company employs extensive use of 3D modelling combined with solidification simulation to ensure that critical castings are properly methoded.

   • Mold definition

     (1 of 10 mold definitions)

Translations

Etymology 2

Abbreviation.

Noun

method (plural methods)

1. (skateboarding, snowboarding) Ellipsis of method air..

   • Skateboarding definition

     present participle of skateboard

   • Snowboarding definition

     The sport of sliding downhill on a snowboard.

   • Method Air definition

     A trick where the boarder grabs the heel edge of the board with their front hand, between their feet, and then pulls the board towards their back, while arching their back and bending knees.

Anagrams

• mothed