Par"a*digm (?), n. [F. paradigme, L. paradigma, fr. Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to show by the side of, to set up as an example; para` beside + &?; to show. See Para-, and Diction.]

1. An example; a model; a pattern. [R.] "The paradigms and patterns of all things." Cudworth.

2. (Gram.) An example of a conjugation or declension, showing a word in all its different forms of inflection.

3. (Rhet.) An illustration, as by a parable or fable.

• A model or example
       
• His prose is a paradigm of clear writing.
  
• (grammar) The inflections of a word
  
• A way of thinking about, looking at or approach to working in some context
  
• A system of rules and regulations(which may or may not be written down) that do two things: 1)establishes boundaries or limits; 2) tells you how to behave inside the boundaries to achieve success (success is usually measured by your ability to solve problems using the rules)