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

Since 2025 the government has sought to redirect grant money toward artificial intelligence, technology, and nuclear energy and has reduced funding for climate, health and social science projects. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2026

Effects of electoral engagement The participants, most of whom were White, were part of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, a long-term health and social sciences study of more than 10,300 people who graduated from Wisconsin high schools in 1957. — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Those uniquely human skills, and the arts, humanities, and social sciences are disproportionately good at building them. — Matt Vandenberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

The spread of the story reflected a pattern that has been on repeat in recent weeks, said Maria do Socorro Sousa Braga, a professor of social science at the Federal University of São Carlos. — Terrence McCoy, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2026

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