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

This was a period when literary critics had real power and were devising new ways of reading—focused on the fluidity of language and the instability of textual meaning—that reshaped the humanities and social sciences. —Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

The post-1945 explosion in birth rates coincided with the rise of the television age and the profusion of social science claptrap to serve and soothe a nation anxious in its affluence. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2026

Her coaching business originated from dissertation research for her master's degree in social science of the internet from the University of Oxford. —Renée Onque, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026

Interested in more social science? —Emily Kwong, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026

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