science

[ sahy-uhns ]

noun

1. a branch of knowledge or study dealing with a body of facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws:

   the mathematical sciences.

2. systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation.
3. any of the branches of natural or physical science.
4. systematized knowledge in general.
5. knowledge, as of facts or principles; knowledge gained by systematic study.
6. a particular branch of knowledge.
7. skill, especially reflecting a precise application of facts or principles; proficiency.

   Synonyms: discipline, method, technique, art

science

/ ˈsaɪəns /

noun

1. the systematic study of the nature and behaviour of the material and physical universe, based on observation, experiment, and measurement, and the formulation of laws to describe these facts in general terms
2. the knowledge so obtained or the practice of obtaining it
3. any particular branch of this knowledge

   the pure and applied sciences

4. any body of knowledge organized in a systematic manner
5. skill or technique
6. archaic.
   knowledge

science

/ sī′əns /

1. The investigation of natural phenomena through observation, theoretical explanation, and experimentation, or the knowledge produced by such investigation.
2. ◆ Science makes use of the scientific method , which includes the careful observation of natural phenomena, the formulation of a hypothesis, the conducting of one or more experiments to test the hypothesis, and the drawing of a conclusion that confirms or modifies the hypothesis.
3. See Note at hypothesis

Other Words From

• anti·science adjective noun
• inter·science adjective
• non·science noun
• pro·science adjective
• sub·science noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of science¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin scientia “knowledge,” equivalent to scient- (stem of sciēns “knowing,” present participle of scīre “to know”) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of science¹

C14: via Old French from Latin scientia knowledge, from scīre to know

Example Sentences

These technologies play a crucial role in the field of archaeology, often regarded as a 'destructive science', where data collection involves the excavation and removal of artifacts, preventing anyone else from digging the same place again.

From Science Daily

Nuria Espallargas at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and colleagues have developed a silicon carbide-based coating for equipment used in aluminium manufacturing or repair.

From BBC

In the paper, published online Nov. 21 in Science, researchers report that global shipping traffic overlaps with about 92% of these whale species' ranges.

From Science Daily

"Protecting whales from the impact of ship strikes is a huge global challenge. We've seen the benefits of slowing ships down at local scales through programs like 'Blue Whales Blue Skies' in California. Scaling up such programs will require a concerted effort by conservation organizations, governments and shipping companies," said co-author Jono Wilson, director of ocean science at the California Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, which helped identify the need for this study and secured its funding.

From Science Daily

Details of the new discovery were published in Science Advances.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• art
• discipline
• education
• information
• learning
• skill
• system
• technique