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a procedure, technique, or way of doing something, especially in accordance with a definite plan:
There are three possible methods of repairing this motor.
a manner or mode of procedure, especially an orderly, logical, or systematic way of instruction, inquiry, investigation, experiment, presentation, etc.:
the empirical method of inquiry.
order or system in doing anything:
to work with method.
orderly or systematic arrangement, sequence, or the like.
the Method, Also called Stanislavski Method, Stanislavski System. a theory and technique of acting in which the performer identifies with the character to be portrayed and renders the part in a naturalistic, nondeclamatory, and highly individualized manner.
(usually initial capital letter) of, relating to, or employing the Method:
a Method actor; Method acting.
Contemporary Examples

You need philosophy, not the modern bull session kind but the Socratic method of “What the hell am I thinking?”
My Commencement Speech to Rutgers’ Geniuses: Go Forth and Fail P. J. O’Rourke May 17, 2014

There is some precedent here—the states of Nebraska and Maine are already using this method.
Can a Republican Win 270 Electoral Votes in 2016…or Ever? Myra Adams August 17, 2013

Although Mefferd later apologized for the method of her accusations, she did not retract the substance of the claims.
Megachurch Star Mark Driscoll’s Publishing Downfall Warren Throckmorton June 29, 2014

Many teachers now think of the Socratic method as the technique of encouraging students to say whatever they know about a topic.
The Ivy League Provides the Best Trade Schools Around Nick Romeo August 16, 2014

Like the French Crémants, Cava is made using the traditional Champagne method.
Beyond Champagne Sophie Menin December 28, 2010

Historical Examples

This method of delivering the sheets is known as the cylinder or rear delivery.
The Building of a Book Various

He had tried this method of seeing Viviette before, but without success.
Viviette William J. Locke

This defect can fortunately be corrected by the method shown in Fig. 112.
How it Works Archibald Williams

The method of sealing must also be judged before the can is opened.
Woman’s Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5 Woman’s Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences

The Turkish method of camouflaging news is not the same as the German.
A Prisoner in Turkey John Still

noun
a way of proceeding or doing something, esp a systematic or regular one
orderliness of thought, action, etc
(often pl) the techniques or arrangement of work for a particular field or subject
(bell-ringing) any of several traditional sets of changes See major (sense 19), minor (sense 8)
noun
(sometimes not capital)

a technique of acting based on the theories of Stanislavsky, in which the actor bases his role on the inner motivation of the character he plays
(as modifier): a Method actor

n.

early 15c., “regular, systematic treatment of disease,” from Latin methodus “way of teaching or going,” from Greek methodos “scientific inquiry, method of inquiry, investigation,” originally “pursuit, a following after,” from meta- “after” (see meta-) + hodos “a traveling, way” (see cede). Meaning “way of doing anything” is from 1580s; that of “orderliness, regularity” is from 1610s. In reference to a theory of acting associated with Russian director Konstantin Stanislavsky, it is attested from 1923.

method meth·od (měth’əd)
n.

A means or manner of procedure, especially a regular and systematic way of accomplishing something.

Orderly arrangement of parts or steps to accomplish an end.

The procedures and techniques characteristic of a particular discipline or field of knowledge.

programming
The name given in Smalltalk and other object-oriented languages to a procedure or routine associated with one or more classes. An object of a certain class knows how to perform actions, e.g. printing itself or creating a new instance of itself, rather than the function (e.g. printing) knowing how to handle different types of object.
Different classes may define methods with the same name (i.e. methods may be polymorphic). The term “method” is used both for a named operation, e.g. “PRINT” and also for the code which a specific class provides to perform tha t operation.
Most methods operate on objects that are instances of a certain class. Some object-oriented languages call these “object methods” to distinguish then from “class methods”.
In Smalltalk, a method is defined by giving its name, documentation, temporary local variables and a sequence of expressions separated by “.”s.
(2000-03-22)