modus operandi

noun

mo·​dus ope·​ran·​di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē How to pronounce modus operandi (audio)
-ˌdī
plural modi operandi ˈmō-ˌdē- How to pronounce modus operandi (audio)
ˈmō-ˌdī-
: a method of procedure
the best approach … was to do things through quiet persuasion, which was his modus operandiJames Traub
especially : a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime
got her picture identified, discovered her modus operandi, and put a stakeout on her neighborhood Time

Examples of modus operandi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Zito's modus operandi is scalping women and attaching their hair to mannequins, which probably has nothing to do with his mommy issues... Tom Savini truly works his magic in Maniac, and the special makeup effects are haunting, but the film also gets a boost from a pair of genre heavy-hitters. Steven Thrash, EW.com, 19 Oct. 2024 Each of Matsuhisa’s restaurants adheres to Nobu’s modus operandi — intimate luxury, quality food — while also using local ingredients to reflect cultural appetites. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 The result is obscene, but the underlying logic is the modus operandi of our algorithmic age. Ben Tarnoff, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2024 That was the modus operandi for the final day of Paris Fashion Week. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for modus operandi 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of modus operandi was in 1654

Dictionary Entries Near modus operandi

Cite this Entry

“Modus operandi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modus%20operandi. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

modus operandi

noun
mo·​dus ope·​ran·​di ˌmō-dəs-ˌä-pə-ˈran-dē, -ˌdī How to pronounce modus operandi (audio)
: a distinct pattern or method of operation especially that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime
Etymology

New Latin, manner of operating

More from Merriam-Webster on modus operandi

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