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theory - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'theory' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Theory [ n.]
- A doctrine, or scheme of things, which terminates in speculation or contemplation, without a view to practice; hypothesis; speculation.
- An exposition of the general or abstract principles of any science; as, the theory of music.
- The science, as distinguished from the art; as, the theory and practice of medicine.
- The philosophical explanation of phenomena, either physical or moral; as, Lavoisier's theory of combustion; Adam Smith's theory of moral sentiments.

Meaning of 'theory' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . theory [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena
Example in sentence:
  • a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing becomes a scientific theory;
  • he proposed a fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices
Meaning (2):
- a belief that can guide behavior
Example in sentence:
  • the architect has a theory that more is less;
  • they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales
Meaning (3):
- a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena
Example in sentence:
  • theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses;
  • true in fact and theory

Nearby Words:

the the gapes thea theandric theanthropic theanthropical theanthropism theanthropist theanthropy thearchic

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