noun

modality

moh-DAL-uh-tee/məʊˈdæləti/

A particular way of doing or experiencing something.

Each woman uses a different sensory modality to explore a sculpture.

Two contrasting sensory ways of experiencing the same sculptural form: one woman examines a small sculpture visually, while another closes her eyes and explores an identical sculpture with her hands.

Etymology

modLatinway, manner

+alLatinpertaining to

+ityLatinstate or condition

Built on a word for a way or manner, modality originally expressed the fact of being a mode. In this sense, that abstract idea becomes a particular form or way in which something happens or is experienced.

In context

TVO Today63:54

you're in a sort of modality which is operating based on linguistic information and auditory information. It's very language focused.

Sunni Brown: Unlocking Your Doodle Power

More examples

Physical therapy is one modality for treating chronic back pain.
The course offers both online and in-person learning modalities.
Touch is the main sensory modality used to read Braille.

Forms

modality · modalities

Similar words

method: Emphasizes how something is done rather than how it is experienced.
mode: Often names a setting or manner of operation.
approach: Emphasizes an overall strategy rather than a specific method.