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method

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noun [countable/uncountable] American English pronunciation: method

/ˈmeθəd/

singular	method
plural	methods

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

Metaphor

a way of doing something, especially a planned or established way
It was a handmade rug produced by traditional methods.
Farming methods haven't changed here for decades.
method of:
We are trying to develop new methods of pollution control.
method of doing something:
They have adopted an alternative method of financing the project.
method for doing something:
Vaccination is one of the most effective methods for preventing disease.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of method
Collocations: method
Collocations
method
▪ effective, efficient, preferred, principal, reliable
method
▪ adopt, apply, choose, develop, devise, employ, pioneer, provide, use

phrase

there's method to/in someone's madness
informal
used for saying that although someone seems to be doing something in a strange way, there is a good reason for doing it that way
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of method

Metaphor: method

Metaphor

The methods that you use to do something are like tools and machines. The process of doing something is like using a machine.

It takes years to learn the tools of the trade.
We have a very efficient mechanism/apparatus for dealing with this.
Some search engines are more powerful than others for retrieving information from the Web.
It is an important part of the machinery of government.
It is an effective instrument of government.
We don't have much political leverage in this matter.
I know very little about the internal workings of the company.
Everything is running like clockwork.
We're firing on all cylinders.
You should set the wheels in motion now.
We need to gear up for the final push.
She engineered the public relations campaign.

A method of doing something is like a road from one place to another. The process of doing something is like a trip.

What's the best way of doing it? ♦ This is a certain route/path to success. ♦ Maybe we should try a different approach. ♦ We have explored several different avenues. ♦ He showed us what to do, step by step. ♦ This job is just a steppingstone for me. ♦ There's a useful shortcut that I can show you. ♦ We need to move things along a little faster.

This is the American English definition of method. View British English definition of method.

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