empiricism Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from experience
    sensationalism; empiricist philosophy.
  2. noun the application of empirical methods in any art or science
  3. noun medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings
    quackery.

WordNet

Em*pir"i*cism noun
Definitions
  1. The method or practice of an empiric; pursuit of knowledge by observation and experiment.
  2. Specifically, a practice of medicine founded on mere experience, without the aid of science or a knowledge of principles; ignorant and unscientific practice; charlatanry; quackery.
  3. (Metaph.) The philosophical theory which attributes the origin of all our knowledge to experience.

Webster 1913