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natural science

natural science

6 3.4
A branch of science that studies the physical world, like physics and biology
  • noun
  • /ˈnæʧərəl ˈsaɪəns/
translation icon : ciencia natural
  • The natural science curriculum at the university includes biology, chemistry, and environmental science.
  • natural science and social science
  • mathematics and natural sciences
  • natural sciences and the humanities

So if we're looking at things within the world, if we're doing pure mathematics or even pure natural science, wonderful, right?

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Examples

  • The natural sciences greatly interested me... When I was a young man.

  • Studying natural science helps students understand the laws of physics and chemistry.

  • This is world share of natural science and engineering publications.

  • It's a bit different between the traditional scientific method of natural science in the statistical analysis.

  • According to this view, the natural science system shapes the human response.

    Academic text (1992)
  • We do not consider the significance of the natural sciences or philosophy for Judaism.

    Academic text (1993)
  • In my judgment, the natural sciences are the healthiest of the disciplines taught at our universities.

    Academic text (1990)
  • So those of you who are in natural sciences are probably familiar with Descartes and his pioneering work on optics.

  • Van Dishoeck received a PhD in natural sciences from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands in 1984.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Many high schools offer courses in natural science to prepare students for college-level science.

Synonyms

natural philosophy
vsnatural science
  • Archaic
2 8.4

The study of the physical world and its laws, like early physics

is the modern, broader scientific field covering physics, chemistry, biology and related areas

How Specific

molecular biology
  • Specialized
9 3.9
bioscience
  • Specialized
3 5.0
natural science
6 3.4
science
1.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

natural + science

The meaning 'a branch of science dealing with the physical world' is directly and compositionally derived from 'natural' (produced by nature) + 'science' (systematic study). This is a straightforward noun compound with clear, cross-linguistic equivalents, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should understand it.

Etymology

The term natural science started as a simple phrase: natural meant 'from nature' and science meant 'careful study' or 'knowledge'. That's why natural science now means 'the study of the physical world', like plants, animals, and matter.