1. the theory that all knowledge comes from sensory experience and observation rather than from reasoning or intuition
Usage: philosophy
2. the practice of relying on observation and experiment in medicine or science
Usage: medicine; science

Examples

• John Locke was a famous advocate of empiricism in philosophy.
• The scientist’s empiricism led her to test every hypothesis through careful experimentation.
• Medieval medicine gradually gave way to empiricism and evidence-based practice.
• His empiricism made him skeptical of theories that couldn’t be tested.
• The debate between empiricism and rationalism shaped modern philosophy.
• Medical empiricism requires doctors to base treatments on observed results.