science

sci·ence | \ ˈsī-ən(t)s

Definition of science

1 : the state of knowing : knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding

2a : a department of systematized knowledge as an object of study the science of theology

b : something (such as a sport or technique) that may be studied or learned like systematized knowledge have it down to a science

3a : knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method

b : such knowledge or such a system of knowledge concerned with the physical world and its phenomena : natural science

4 : a system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific laws cooking is both a science and an art

5 capitalized : christian science

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about science

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Examples of science in a Sentence

The Malay tapir, the largest of the world's four tapir species, remained largely invisible to science until recently. The other three species of these odd, endearing animals all live in South America. — Anthony King, New York Times, 2 June 2009 If there were any doubt, Golden's muckraking investigation—he is the Ida Tarbell of college admissions—reveals that almost every word uttered by representatives of the top colleges about the care and nuance and science of the much vaunted admissions process is bunk. — Michael Wolff, New York Times Book Review, 17 Sept. 2006 Of course, there is both corporate and government-sponsored grant money available for such initiatives in science and engineering. And scientists are used to working together in laboratories. But in the humanities it was different, said the deans. — David Laurence, Association of Departments of English Bulletin, Winter 2004 The journal Annales was started in 1929, by Bloch and Lucien Febvre, two friends conversant with the new sciences of sociology and geography, psychology and anthropology. — Stephen Kotkin, New Yorker, 29 Sept. 2003 The program encourages students to pursue a career in science. a list of terms commonly used in science a new branch of science advances in science and technology Students are required to take two sciences. students majoring in a science

Recent Examples on the Web Days after the federal government told states to prepare for distributing a vaccine as early as Nov. 1, the group representing state public-health leaders said any vaccine approval must be insulated from political motives and driven by science. — John Tozzi, Bloomberg.com, "Trump’s Pre-Election Goal for a Vaccine Has States on Edge," 4 Sep. 2020 The science behind why boats float has remained largely unchanged since the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes explained how the downward force of gravity is balanced by upward pressure from the displaced water. — Edd Gent, Science | AAAS, "Watch levitating upside-down boats flip the law of buoyancy," 2 Sep. 2020 Corporate lawyer Kate Estes, of St. Augustine, Florida, said she was drawn in by the science. — USA Today, "Why volunteer for a vaccine clinical trial? Duty, love and a willingness to experiment, participants say," 2 Sep. 2020 Carriers are also instituting inconsistent policies on leaving middle seats vacant that aren’t backed by science. — Alan Levin, Anchorage Daily News, "Airlines stumble ahead with coronavirus safety plans that may heighten risks," 31 Aug. 2020 Beefing up the science behind these efforts will help ensure the trees being planted are species native to the area that won’t cause damage to the surrounding environment. — Abby Smith, Washington Examiner, "US gets started on 'trillion trees' project," 27 Aug. 2020 The science behind the treatment, the safety of EUAs in general, and the possible political pressure that went into securing the emergency order are all strands in a spider's web of reasons health experts are critiquing the FDA's decision. — Molly Longman, refinery29.com, "The Controversy Around Convalescent Plasma & COVID-19, Explained," 25 Aug. 2020 And the next critical steps in the nation's battle to stop the spread should be determined by science, lest the COVID statistics grow even more grim. — Editorial Board Star Tribune, Star Tribune, "Rely on science, not Trump, on COVID-19," 24 Aug. 2020 The science behind OncoNano has been supported with three CPRIT academic research grants to UT Southwestern. — Paul O'donnell, Dallas News, "Texas cancer research agency puts nearly $10 million more into Southlake startup OncoNano," 19 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'science.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for science

science

noun

English Language Learners Definition of science

: knowledge about or study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation

: a particular area of scientific study (such as biology, physics, or chemistry) : a particular branch of science

: a subject that is formally studied in a college, university, etc.

See the full definition for science in the English Language Learners Dictionary

science

noun

sci·ence | \ ˈsī-əns

Kids Definition of science

1 : knowledge about the natural world that is based on facts learned through experiments and observation

2 : an area of study that deals with the natural world (as biology or physics)

3 : a subject that is formally studied the science of linguistics

4 : something that can be studied and learned Pitching is a science.

science

noun

sci·ence | \ ˈsī-ən(t)s

Medical Definition of science

: knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through the scientific method and concerned with the physical world and its phenomena

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