hard science

noun

1. any of the natural or physical sciences, as chemistry, biology, physics, or astronomy, in which aspects of the universe are investigated by means of hypotheses and experiments.

hard science

noun

1. 1. one of the natural or physical sciences, such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, or astronomy
   2. ( as modifier )

      a hard-science lecture

Derived Forms

• hard scientist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hard science¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

“It shows a lot of hard science at work that’s actually going to have an impact on the public and hopefully make people safer,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

From at least the early 20th century era of rocket scientist Jack Parsons, and the shared roots of Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Scientology and the occult group Ordo Templi Orientis, the hard science of space exploration has mingled with more esoteric ideas in Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times

“We do highlight the idea and the fact that, environmentally speaking, storms have become more unpredictable. Tornadoes have become more unpredictable as well. That’s just hard science,” Chung said.

From Seattle Times

“Gottman made his reputation by bringing hard science into a field — the ordinary marriage — that had long been the province of therapists,” wrote the journalist Philip Weiss, who spent a not-entirely-happy night at the Love Lab with his wife in 2000.

From Los Angeles Times

The question of how much hard science the average viewer wants in their sci-fi is also relevant, although “Game of Thrones” executive producers Weiss, Benioff and Woo make these concepts commonly accessible.

From Salon