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

The guidelines call for accelerating scientific discovery, driving innovation in research and development, improving efficiency, and innovating social science research methods. —Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

The media company worked with RTI, a nonprofit global social science research firm, to compile the rankings. —Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 19 Aug. 2025

It's been a big conversation in social science over the last two years or so. —ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2025

The labor economist, who earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Bard College and an economics Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, was a senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers prior to joining the BLS. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for social science

• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience

Kids 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 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