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domestic science

domestic science

1 4.8
School subject that teaches cooking, cleaning, sewing, and how to run a home
  • noun
  • /dəˈmɛstɪk saɪəns/
  • Archaic
translation icon : ciencias domésticas
  • It included an elementary school, an art school, domestic science, and manual training courses.

Examples

  • But everything's all right because I took a course in domestic science.

  • 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.

  • He took a class in domestic science to improve his cooking and cleaning skills for living on his own.

  • Many high schools offer domestic science courses that teach students valuable skills for managing a household.

Synonyms

home ec
vsdomestic science
  • Informal
4 5.1

A school class that teaches cooking, sewing, and home skills

is the formal classroom study of the same home skills and practice
homemaking
vsdomestic science
3 2.5

Care and work to keep a house and family well

is the taught study of these everyday tasks rather than ordinary practice
home economics
vsdomestic science
3 3.1

A school subject about running a home, like cooking, sewing, and managing money

focuses on classroom teaching of those household skills rather than private practice
household arts
vsdomestic science
  • Archaic
3.7

Practical skills for running a home, like cooking and sewing

is offered as a taught subject, not only learned through practical work at home
housecraft
vsdomestic science
  • Archaic
7.4

Knowing how to do household tasks like cooking and cleaning

is the academic study of those practical household skills in school settings
housewifery
vsdomestic science
  • Archaic
8.8

Managing a home and doing daily tasks like cooking and cleaning

is the school subject about those domestic duties rather than the role itself

Surface Forms

Morphology

domestic + science

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'.