scientific

adjective sci·en·tif·ic \ ˌsī-ən-ˈti-fik \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of scientific

1 : of, relating to, or exhibiting the methods or principles of science

2 : conducted in the manner of science or according to results of investigation by science : practicing or using thorough or systematic methods

scientific advertising

scientific baby care

a scientific boxer

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scientifically

play \ˌsī-ən-ˈti-fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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Recent Examples of scientific from the Web

Furthermore, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, no scientific study has found a link between vaccines and autism.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Critics Blast Kat Von D as She Reveals She Opposes Vaccinations and Plans to Raise Her Son Vegan," 8 June 2018
So far no one has any idea how to deal with the scientific and engineering challenges—let alone the political, legal, and business ones—involved in sustainably managing orbital debris and mining celestial objects.

— ramin skibba, Smithsonian, "Greening the Future of Outer Space," 2 June 2018
The first category of problems, which include all scientific and technological questions, can be provisionally answered.

— jason pontin, WIRED, "Four Rules for Learning How to Talk To Each Other Again," 25 May 2018
Beth Israel has policies to ensure the scientific and ethical integrity of research, medical center spokeswoman Jennifer Kritz said in a statement soon after NIH revealed its decision.

— joel achenbach, chicagotribune.com, "NIH halts controversial study of moderate drinking," 18 May 2018
Implanting them into an animal host raises the scientific and ethical stakes.

— NBC News, "'Brain in a bucket' study spurs medical, ethical debates," 16 May 2018
His historical tour is pretty loosey goosey, skipping over, for example, the Enlightenment, the scientific and industrial revolutions, the rise of democracy, and, yes, the impact of technology on communication from the telegraph until today.

— gal beckerman, The New Republic, "Don’t Blame Phones for Narcissism," 7 May 2018
Last summer, several scientific and university groups, individual scientists, and more than 3500 petition signers protested that filing studies that aren’t testing drugs or other treatments on clinicaltrials.gov would confuse the public.

— jocelyn kaiser, Science | AAAS, "Basic scientists still feel pinch of new NIH clinical trial policy," 4 May 2018
Astronauts aboard had deployed and rescued numerous satellites and conducted countless scientific studies on orbit.

— alex stuckey, San Antonio Express-News, "Groundbreaking Latina astronaut retires from Johnson Space Center," 26 May 2018

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