Skip to main content
science

science

2.3
A branch of study about a part of the natural world, like biology
  • noun
  • /ˈsaɪəns/
translation icon : disciplina
  • In the field of environmental science, researchers study the impacts of climate change.
  • computer science
  • science and technology
  • social science

How would you say that nutritional science has overlooked women?

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Nanotechnology opens the door to an exciting new science, technology, and engineering field.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Mom, will you still be a science teacher when I get into high school?

  • And I went to a high school of science, which was great.

  • There are a few things about science that are special.

  • And that gave rise to the food science profession.

  • Have you always thought that faith and science are compatible?

  • There is no meaningful difference between students' opinions in different science disciplines regarding this subject.

    Academic text (2011)
  • As water supplies become constrained, science can play an important role in managing water conflicts.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Interactive exhibits and dramatic displays help explain the science behind changes in polar ice and oceans.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Alien Earths, the new science of planet hunting in the cosmos.

Synonyms

field
vsscience
2.9

A particular area of study or work

is narrower, meaning a specific branch within specialized knowledge
study
vsscience
465 2.2

A subject people learn about, like history or biology

is focused on branches within specialized knowledge, not general learning areas
subject
vsscience
305 1.6

An area of knowledge studied at school or university

is more specialized, applying to branches of systematic study rather than school topics
discipline
vsscience
102 4.9

A subject studied at university, like physics or history

is the specific term for branches within specialized knowledge
field of study
vsscience
9 3.0

A subject of learning like biology or history

is used for branches of learned inquiry rather than any general area
2 4.1

A subject of science that studies a part of nature like physics or biology

is the general label for any particular branch of learned knowledge
subject field
vsscience
1 3.6

An area of study at a school or university

is specific to branches of learned study rather than general academic areas

Idioms

1 9.0

To confuse someone by using many technical words they do not understand

Compounds

science fiction
  • Literature
119 2.7

Stories about made-up science and technology, often set in the future or outer space

political science
  • Specialized
49 3.3

The study of governments, leaders, and how they make decisions

computer science
  • Specialized
36 3.2

The study of computers, software, and how they work together

A person who helps students learn about science in school

medical science
  • Specialized
23 3.5

The study of keeping people healthy and finding, preventing, and treating sickness

social science
  • Specialized
23 3.4

The study of how people live and behave together in groups

rocket science
  • Informal
13 4.6

A thing that is very difficult to understand

11 2.8

A room in a school or research building where people do experiments

A test done to find out how things work in science

An independent United States agency that gives money to support research and education in science and engineering

A religious movement that believes in spiritual healing and follows Jesus' teachings

7 3.4

The study of living things and how they live

junk science
  • Literature
7 7.4

False or weak claims presented as based on careful study to mislead people

A branch of science that studies the physical world, like physics and biology

Science Friday
  • Literature
5 3.5

A radio show that talks about science and explains new discoveries

A first university degree in science subjects that usually takes three to five years

A museum where people learn about science from displays and experiments

earth science
  • Specialized
3 3.4

The study of the Earth's land, rocks, water, and air

environmental science
  • Specialized
3 3.7

The study of how plants, animals, and people affect and depend on nature

The study of how to organize and run libraries

brain science
  • Specialized
2 3.7

Study of the brain and how it works

cognitive science
  • Specialized
2 3.8

The scientific study of how the mind thinks, learns, and understands using ideas from several sciences

big science
  • Specialized
2 5.2

Large scientific projects that need a lot of money and many people to make big discoveries

biological science
  • Specialized
2 3.5

The study of living things, like animals, plants, and cells, and how they work

2 8.3

An attempt to use science to support the Bible story of how life began, often opposing evolution

A university degree taken after a bachelor's for study in science or related subjects

applied science
  • Specialized
1 3.8

The use of science to solve practical problems, for example in engineering and technology

biomedical science
  • Specialized
1 3.9

Study of how the body works and how to treat disease

A room or building where people do experiments, research, and teach science

information science
  • Specialized
1 3.8

The study of how people collect, organize, store, and find information using computers

dismal science
  • Literature
1 8.1

A study of how people use money and goods, often focusing on not having enough and hardship

1 4.8

School subject that teaches cooking, cleaning, sewing, and how to run a home

A university degree in science that universities give for important research or as an honor

The study of how people and countries make, share, and use goods and services

agricultural science
  • Specialized
1 4.2

The study of farming, including growing crops and raising animals

psychological science
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A field that studies how people think, feel, and act

A private college in New York City that teaches art, architecture, and engineering

9.6

False or not proven ideas that claim to explain how the world works

A part of a college or university where people teach and do research about computers and programming

engineering science
  • Specialized
4.1

The study of how science helps design and build useful structures and machines

A two-year college degree that teaches practical skills for technical jobs

A university degree that teaches how to work in and run libraries

A university degree in the study of the navy and ships

A first university degree about designing and planning buildings

A university degree for students who study engineering

9.9

A scientist whose work many people see as dangerous or unethical

A university degree after a first degree that prepares you to work as a librarian

A university degree after a bachelor's that focuses on engineering research

A graduate degree for studying how libraries collect, organize and share information

military science
  • Specialized
5.0

The study of how armies plan and fight wars

Study of how traits pass from parents to children and how they change

geophysical science
  • Specialized
4.8

The study of the Earth's physical parts and changes using physics

idiographic science
  • Specialized
9.9

A way of studying single people or events in great detail

A science activity where people do hands-on tests to learn

Announcing scientific results to the public before other scientists check them

science oven
  • Specialized
8.3

An oven in a lab that heats samples under set conditions

zoological science
  • Specialized
4.1

The study of animals and how they live

How Specific

specialty
  • US
205 4.3
science
2.3
field
2.9
knowledge
1.0

Surface Forms

science singular
sciences plural

Etymology

Science comes from the Latin verb scire, which means 'to know'. A science is a single area of 'knowledge', like chemistry or genetics, so the name reminds us it is a field you study to 'know' something well.