social science

Definition of social science

1 : a branch of science that deals with the institutions and functioning of human society and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as members of society

2 : a science (such as economics or political science) dealing with a particular phase or aspect of human society

Other Words from social science Example Sentences Learn More about social science

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Examples of social science in a Sentence

Economics is a social science.

Recent Examples on the Web The district’s social science center called The Lab received $1 million in grant funding to run the study, WUSA-TV reports. — USA TODAY, "Tibetan monks at turtle release, puppy rescue 911: News from around our 50 states," 3 Feb. 2020 For nearly two decades, reviewers have chewed over his bestselling books, often subjecting them to withering criticism for their cherry-picking of social science and history. — Hugh Eakin, Harper's magazine, "Selective Hearing," 19 Jan. 2020 Like several other major ideas from psychology, mindset research, which began in the 1980s, has been reexamined in the current rigorous era of social science. — Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, "Debate Arises over Teaching “Growth Mindsets” to Motivate Students," 12 Aug. 2019 Criminologists and Philadelphia community activists say that Krasner’s approach, while unorthodox, is backed by sound social science. — Alex Yablon, The New Republic, "Larry Krasner’s Lonely, Radical Crusade to Solve America’s Gun Problem," 28 Jan. 2020 The history and social sciences test has been cancelled after someone leaked the question paper. — Ciara Nugent, Time, "Why Chile’s SATs Have Become the New Frontline of Inequality Protests," 23 Jan. 2020 The Ann Arbor native now lives in Chicago, working as high school social science teacher. — Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "Hashtag Lunchbag serves up food and messages for the homeless," 29 Dec. 2019 Statistically, a person’s dating preferences explained approximately 19.7% of participants’ trustworthiness ratings – a fairly large effect for social sciences. — Jordan W. Moon, Quartz, "Intense prejudice exists against atheists in the US," 28 Dec. 2019 By contrast, critics say the experiment likely won't provide useful information from a social science perspective given its limited size and duration. — CBS News, "$500 a month for free: Data show how people spent the money," 3 Oct. 2019

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

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Last Updated

15 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Social science.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20science. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for social science

social science

noun

English Language Learners Definition of social science

: the study of human society

: a particular area of study that relates to human behavior and society

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

social science

noun

Medical Definition of social science

1 : a branch of science that deals with the institutions and functioning of human society and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as members of society

2 : a science (as anthropology or social psychology) dealing with a particular phase or aspect of human society