teleology
noun
tel·e·ol·o·gy
ˌtē-lē-ˈä-lə-jē 
ˌte-
ˌte-
1
a
: the study of evidences of design in nature
b
: a doctrine (as in vitalism) that ends are immanent in nature
c
: a doctrine explaining phenomena by final causes
2
: the fact or character attributed to nature or natural processes of being directed toward an end or shaped by a purpose
3
: the use of design or purpose as an explanation of natural phenomena
Examples of teleology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There was a sense that transformation was the point and the teleology; Sophie’s sonic plasticity pointed to interrelational reinvention, toward a truth that had to be formed in the primordial tide pool of a dark, pulsing room.
—
Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024
Indeed, many other Western thinkers have fallen in thrall to a similar teleology, believing that history was inescapably moving toward greater freedom and democracy.
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
In the near future, Teresa is a middle-aged Massachusetts native without a career, a steady paycheck or a corporate teleology.
—Matt Pearce, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2023
The modern era, the long twentieth century, offered a kind of teleology of progress, a line on a chart going upward and to the right.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2023
The common thread among all these thinkers: trying to explain the origins of order in the absence of teleology.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 7 May 2011
Yet this approach itself reinforces a particular nationalist teleology.
—Fara Dabhoiwala, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
The various models proposed for the mechanism of evolution, such as Lamarckian evolution, orthogenesis, and use-disuse, all implied some level of teleology, that there was a directionality inherent in the process.
—Mano Singham, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2021
His early preoccupation with initial cosmic conditions led Barrow to reinstate in physical science the ancient philosophical concept of teleology, which (in its various guises) takes into account final as well as initial states.
—Paul Davies, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024
Indeed, many other Western thinkers have fallen in thrall to a similar teleology, believing that history was inescapably moving toward greater freedom and democracy.
—Orville Schell, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
In the near future, Teresa is a middle-aged Massachusetts native without a career, a steady paycheck or a corporate teleology.
—Matt Pearce, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2023
The modern era, the long twentieth century, offered a kind of teleology of progress, a line on a chart going upward and to the right.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 7 Dec. 2023
The common thread among all these thinkers: trying to explain the origins of order in the absence of teleology.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 7 May 2011
Yet this approach itself reinforces a particular nationalist teleology.
—Fara Dabhoiwala, The New York Review of Books, 1 July 2021
The various models proposed for the mechanism of evolution, such as Lamarckian evolution, orthogenesis, and use-disuse, all implied some level of teleology, that there was a directionality inherent in the process.
—Mano Singham, Scientific American, 5 Sep. 2021
His early preoccupation with initial cosmic conditions led Barrow to reinstate in physical science the ancient philosophical concept of teleology, which (in its various guises) takes into account final as well as initial states.
—Paul Davies, Scientific American, 10 Oct. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near teleology
Cite this Entry
“Teleology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teleology. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
teleology
noun
te·le·ol·o·gy
ˌtel-ē-ˈäl-ə-jē
ˌtēl-
ˌtēl-
plural teleologies
1
a
: the study of evidences of design in nature
b
: a doctrine (as in vitalism) that ends are immanent in nature
c
: a doctrine explaining phenomena by final causes
2
: the fact or character attributed to nature or natural processes of being directed toward an end or shaped by a purpose
3
: the use of design or purpose as an explanation of natural phenomena
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share