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 See More

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of physical science was in 1705

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.

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

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