thought experiment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal; academic; technical
Quick answer
What does “thought experiment” mean?
A mental exercise using imagination to explore the consequences of a hypothesis, principle, or theory, without necessarily performing a physical experiment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mental exercise using imagination to explore the consequences of a hypothesis, principle, or theory, without necessarily performing a physical experiment.
A device of the imagination used to investigate, clarify, or challenge theoretical concepts, often by considering hypothetical scenarios, counterfactual situations, or extreme cases. Common in philosophy, physics, and ethics to test the limits and implications of ideas.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Slight preference in British English for the hyphenated form 'thought-experiment' in attributive position, while American English more often uses the open compound even as an adjective.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Carries connotations of intellectual rigour, philosophical inquiry, and theoretical physics.
Frequency
Used with similar frequency in academic and intellectual discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “thought experiment” in a Sentence
[Subject] conducts/proposes/uses a thought experiment to [verb phrase].The thought experiment [demonstrates/illustrates/asks]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thought experiment” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We can thought-experiment our way through this ethical dilemma.
- She thought-experimented the implications of the theory.
American English
- He thought experimented a scenario where gravity ceased to exist.
- Let's thought experiment this concept before we write the proposal.
adverb
British English
- He argued thought-experimentally, without reference to data.
- The problem was considered thought-experiment-wise.
American English
- She approached the question thought-experimentally.
- Let's think about this thought experiment-ally first.
adjective
British English
- It was a purely thought-experiment approach to the problem.
- She presented a thought-experiment framework.
American English
- His argument was based on a thought experiment scenario.
- We need a thought experiment methodology here.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in strategic planning to imagine extreme market scenarios ('Let's do a thought experiment: what if our main competitor vanished?').
Academic
Common in philosophy, physics, ethics, and cognitive science to test theoretical boundaries and logical consistency.
Everyday
Very rare. Used playfully or metaphorically in deep discussions ('It's just a thought experiment, but what would you do with a million pounds?').
Technical
Core term in philosophy of mind and theoretical physics. Precisely defined and methodologically important.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thought experiment”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thought experiment”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thought experiment”
- Using it to mean any kind of daydreaming or casual speculation.
- Spelling as one word: 'thoughtexperiment'.
- Confusing it with a 'hypothesis' (a proposed explanation, not the method to test it).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon, a testable prediction. A thought experiment is a method or tool—a imagined scenario—used to explore, challenge, or clarify a hypothesis, theory, or concept.
Not empirically, as it is not a physical test. However, it can be logically flawed, based on false premises, internally inconsistent, or its conclusions can be challenged by better reasoning or by new empirical facts it failed to consider.
Several are famous in different fields: Schrödinger's Cat (quantum physics), The Trolley Problem (ethics), The Chinese Room (philosophy of mind/AI), and Einstein's Chasing a Light Beam (relativity).
Yes, cautiously. They are excellent for stress-testing ideas, revealing logical implications, and exploring 'what if' scenarios in law, ethics, and policy before action is taken. However, they must be complemented by empirical data where possible.
A mental exercise using imagination to explore the consequences of a hypothesis, principle, or theory, without necessarily performing a physical experiment.
Thought experiment is usually formal; academic; technical in register.
Thought experiment: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθɔːt ɪkˌsper.ɪ.mənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθɔt ɪkˌsper.ə.mənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A thought experiment for our times”
- “To take a thought experiment to its logical conclusion”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a scientist who is THOUGHTful and does not have a lab; their EXPERIMENT happens entirely in their MIND.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINKING IS EXPERIMENTING (The mind is a laboratory; ideas are test subjects; logical outcomes are results.)
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'thought experiment' MOST precisely defined and methodologically central?