social science

noun

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

social scientist noun

Examples of social science in a Sentence

Economics is a social science.

Recent Examples on the Web

The labor economist, who earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from Bard College and an economics Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, was a senior economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers prior to joining the BLS. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 1 Aug. 2025

Edwards received a bachelor’s degree in social science from George Williams in 1971. —Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025

The challenge: college sports accounting is an evolving but highly imperfect form of social science. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 July 2025

According to the announcement, Western University receives more than $267 million in annual research funding and offers over 50 doctoral programs across the sciences, humanities and social sciences. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for social science

• appliance
• compliance
• defiance
• reliance
• geoscience
• neuroscience
• noncompliance
• pseudoscience

Kids Definition

social science

noun

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 economics) dealing with a particular side of human society

Medical Definition

social science

noun

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