exact science

noun

: a science (such as physics, chemistry, or astronomy) whose laws are capable of accurate quantitative expression

Examples of exact science in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But the Lamont administration noted that revenue forecasting is hardly an exact science, and receipts from the income tax — which generates more than $11 billion annually or roughly half of the resources for the General Fund — can vary significantly in a short period of time. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025 However, defining the generations isn't an exact science, and there is some debate about when the cutoff occurs for each one. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025 Determining credibility is hardly an exact science. Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 19 May 2025 Precisely tuning a neural network's behavior is not yet an exact science, although techniques have improved over time. ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exact science

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exact science was in 1843

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Cite this Entry

“Exact science.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exact%20science. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Medical Definition

exact science

noun
ex·​act sci·​ence ig-ˈzakt-ˈsī-ən(t)s How to pronounce exact science (audio)
: a science (as physics, chemistry, or astronomy) whose laws are capable of accurate quantitative expression
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