physical science
noun
: any of the natural sciences (such as physics, chemistry, and astronomy) that deal primarily with nonliving materials
physical scientist
noun
Examples of physical science in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The physical science building is nestled in a forest, where slime molds bloom and trees tilt their leaves in obedience to their own circadian clocks.
—
Quanta Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023
That very objective quality of the physical sciences was deemed more important, or that was my perspective.
—Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, 24 July 2023
Our view of the stars and planets has been crucial to the physical sciences, to navigation, to religion, to myth.
—Suzannah Showler, Harper's Magazine, 14 Apr. 2022
Yet panpsychism runs counter to the majority view in both the physical sciences and in philosophy that treats consciousness as an emergent phenomenon, something that arises in certain complex systems, such as human brains.
—Dan Falk, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2023
In the end, Kelly of Harvard said, the dream is to have similar courses that integrate calculus concepts in life sciences, economics, social sciences, physical sciences and engineering taught at colleges and high schools.
—Daniel Mollenkamp, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023
This dovetails with Oreskes’s suggestion that the IPCC’s working group on climate change’s physical science basis should be wrapped up and that the organization’s focus should be directed to its working groups devoted to impacts and mitigation.
—Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2022
But comprehensive scientific assessments, including the physical science basis, will continue to clarify and inform and help to build the political will required to face this global challenge.
—Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2022
Speaking with New Scientist, Mike Meylan, a professor of information and physical sciences, warned that especially strong storms—themselves increasingly frequent—could easily damage pendulum systems deployed in the real world.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2023
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Quanta Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023
That very objective quality of the physical sciences was deemed more important, or that was my perspective.
—Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, 24 July 2023
Our view of the stars and planets has been crucial to the physical sciences, to navigation, to religion, to myth.
—Suzannah Showler, Harper's Magazine, 14 Apr. 2022
Yet panpsychism runs counter to the majority view in both the physical sciences and in philosophy that treats consciousness as an emergent phenomenon, something that arises in certain complex systems, such as human brains.
—Dan Falk, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2023
In the end, Kelly of Harvard said, the dream is to have similar courses that integrate calculus concepts in life sciences, economics, social sciences, physical sciences and engineering taught at colleges and high schools.
—Daniel Mollenkamp, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2023
This dovetails with Oreskes’s suggestion that the IPCC’s working group on climate change’s physical science basis should be wrapped up and that the organization’s focus should be directed to its working groups devoted to impacts and mitigation.
—Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2022
But comprehensive scientific assessments, including the physical science basis, will continue to clarify and inform and help to build the political will required to face this global challenge.
—Scientific American, 1 Apr. 2022
Speaking with New Scientist, Mike Meylan, a professor of information and physical sciences, warned that especially strong storms—themselves increasingly frequent—could easily damage pendulum systems deployed in the real world.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'physical 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
1705, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near physical science
Cite this Entry
“Physical science.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physical%20science. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
physical science
noun
: any of the natural sciences (as physics, geology, and astronomy) that deal primarily with nonliving materials
Medical Definition
physical science
noun
: any of the natural sciences (as physics, chemistry, and astronomy) that deal primarily with nonliving materials
physical scientist
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on physical science
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about physical science
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