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
- in leaf
- in league
- in less than no time
- in lieu
- in lieu of
- in light of
- in limbo
- in limine
- in line for
- in line with
- in litigation
- in little
- in living color
- in living memory
- in lo
- in lockstep
- in loco parentis
- in love
- in low spirits
- in luck
- in manuscript
- in many ways
- in marked contrast to
- in marked contrast with
- in me