PARKINSON'S LAW

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Parkinson's law mean? 

• PARKINSON'S LAW (noun)
  The noun PARKINSON'S LAW has 2 senses:

1. C. Northcote Parkinson's cynical observation that work will expand so as to fill the time available for its completion

2. C. Northcote Parkinson's cynical observation that the number of subordinates in an organization will increase linearly regardless of the amount of work to be done

  Familiarity information: PARKINSON'S LAW used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PARKINSON'S LAW (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

C. Northcote Parkinson's cynical observation that work will expand so as to fill the time available for its completion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Instance hypernyms:

observation; reflection; reflexion (a remark expressing careful consideration)

Sense 2

Meaning:

C. Northcote Parkinson's cynical observation that the number of subordinates in an organization will increase linearly regardless of the amount of work to be done

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Instance hypernyms:

observation; reflection; reflexion (a remark expressing careful consideration)