phenomenalism

noun

phe·​nom·​e·​nal·​ism fi-ˈnä-mə-nə-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce phenomenalism (audio)
1
: a theory that limits knowledge to phenomena only
2
: a theory that all knowledge is of phenomena and that what is construed to be perception of material objects is simply perception of sense-data
phenomenalist noun or adjective
phenomenalistic adjective
phenomenalistically adverb

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1865, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of phenomenalism was circa 1865

Dictionary Entries Near phenomenalism

Cite this Entry

“Phenomenalism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phenomenalism. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on phenomenalism

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!