domestic science
1
4.8
- noun
- /dəˈmɛstɪk saɪəns/
- Archaic
- It included an elementary school, an art school, domestic science, and manual training courses.
Examples
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But everything's all right because I took a course in domestic science.
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The ground rules were changed in the mid-1980s by the redefinition of "technology" as a subject area to include the whole range of business studies, design and technology, information technology, art, shop, and domestic science.
Academic text (1992) -
The main difference is found in vocational subjects (agriculture, domestic science, and business) in lower-income economies, where 6-7% of the available time is devoted to these subjects, compared to only 1-2%.
Academic text (1992) -
Girls in school did domestic science and needlework as their practical subjects—now referred to as tech—boys did woodwork and metalwork—today there is no longer segregation, and a far wider range of subjects is on offer to all abilities.
Blog text (12) -
In college, she majored in domestic science, learning essential skills like cooking and sewing.
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He took a class in domestic science to improve his cooking and cleaning skills for living on his own.
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Many high schools offer domestic science courses that teach students valuable skills for managing a household.
Synonyms
13
5.1
A school class that teaches cooking, sewing, and home skills
3
3.1
A school subject about running a home, like cooking, sewing, and managing money
3
2.5
Care and work to keep a house and family well
1
8.8
Managing a home and doing daily tasks like cooking and cleaning
Practical skills for running a home, like cooking and sewing
Knowing how to do household tasks like cooking and cleaning
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound combines 'domestic' (relating to the home) with 'science' (a field of study), so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the study of household/home-related practices. The pattern is compositional and cross-linguistically common (e.g., 'home economics'), so it is immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Domestic science comes from the idea of using science to teach domestic tasks like cooking, sewing and cleaning, so students learned practical skills for running a home. That's why the term means 'the study of homemaking'.