dominant paradigm

Pronunciation

Noun B2 Upper-intermediate

The framework of ideas and assumptions that most people in a field accept as the standard way of understanding a subject at a given time.

"It took decades of contrary evidence before the dominant paradigm in the field finally shifted."

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "It took decades of contrary evidence before the _____ in the field finally shifted."

Answer: dominant paradigm

In your own words, what does "dominant paradigm" mean?

The framework of ideas and assumptions that most people in a field accept as the standard way of understanding a subject at a given time.