paradigm
PAIR-uh-dimenounMeaning a typical example or model; also, a widely accepted way of thinking
Memory hook PARADE-igm: the leader everyone copies. Jonah leads the parade with a high-stepping march, and every child behind him copies each step. His march is the paradigm.
Her neat, colorful notes became the paradigm for the whole study group.
In context For centuries, people accepted the old paradigm that the sun circled the earth; only careful measurements finally overturned that whole way of thinking.
Similar model, pattern, framework, standard
From Greek paradeigma, “a pattern, an example”: para (beside) + deiknynai (to show).