social science

noun

1
: a branch of science that deals with the institutions and functioning of human society and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as members of society
2
: a science (such as economics or political science) dealing with a particular phase or aspect of human society
social scientist noun

Examples of social science in a Sentence

Economics is a social science.
Recent Examples on the Web At Duke University, Philip J. Cook explored the underground gun market, interviewing people incarcerated in Chicago jails and compiling pivotal social science research on how guns are bought, sold, and traded. Christine Spolar, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 In November the University of California, Berkeley, and Harvard University announced a new, three-year collaborative initiative to expand psychedelic research across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Andrew Deangelo, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 Students should be encouraged to be more interdisciplinary, exploring diverse disciplines and combining their strengths, such as humanities and social sciences with STEM fields, says Fujii. Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 But in South Carolina — a state with a near-perfect track record of picking Republican presidential nominees going back to 1980 — the Trump fervor is just as strong, said Gibbs Knotts, a political science professor and dean of humanities and social sciences at the College of Charleston. USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2024 Gilmore, 34, went on to play at Wyoming, getting a degree in social science. Glenn Graham, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2024 Bitcoin deploys game theory and social science to secure the public ledger, and this is an intellectual breakthrough unto itself. Korok Ray, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Assembly Bill 873 directs California’s Instructional Quality Commission to add the content into four core subjects — English language arts, science, mathematics, history and social science — the next time curriculum frameworks are revised. Hannah Poukish, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024 Media literacy content will be included in English language arts, mathematics, science, history and social science curriculums. Brennon Dixson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'social science.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of social science was in 1746

Dictionary Entries Near social science

Cite this Entry

“Social science.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20science. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

social science

noun
1
: a science that deals with human society or its elements (as family, state, or race) and with institutions and relationships in an organized community
2
: a science (as economics) dealing with a particular side of human society

Medical Definition

social science

noun
1
: a branch of science that deals with the institutions and functioning of human society and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as members of society
2
: a science (as anthropology or social psychology) dealing with a particular phase or aspect of human society

More from Merriam-Webster on social science

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