hard science

noun

: a science (such as chemistry, physics, or astronomy) that deals with things that can be observed and measured

Examples of hard science in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Any details beyond that, as Villar and his colleagues write in their Science study, were based on anecdotal evidence more than on hard science. Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2026 To some readers, these topics may sound boring, but in the right hands, hard science fiction can prove as gripping and immersive as the best stories in any genre. Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026 Deeptech start-ups are built on hard science or engineering breakthroughs that solve big problems, not just on apps or consumer trends. Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 4 Feb. 2026 This is because hard science is high-risk and doesn’t tend to have a short-term profit margin. Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 14 Jan. 2026 Hone Your Soft Skills Quantum engineering isn’t just about hard science. IEEE Spectrum, 27 Oct. 2025 Welcome to the final frontier of sci-fi fandom: an extra hard science fiction quiz. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 12 Sep. 2025 This is hard science fiction that ponders monumental questions about loyalty, technology and who (or what) deserves to survive. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 6 Aug. 2025 Starring Ryan Gosling, the film is based on Andy Weir’s hard science fiction bestseller. Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hard science.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard%20science. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster