Showing results for exact science. Search instead for exact+science.

exact science

American

noun

a science, as chemistry or physics, that deals with quantitatively measurable phenomena of the material universe.

Etymology

Origin of exact science

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Determining the points at which past Fed chairs became lame ducks is not an exact science, needless to say.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 19, 2026

The problem is that tax withholding isn’t an exact science, and it doesn’t account for all of the latest tax law changes or fluctuating factors, such as freelance income, investment income and charitable donations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 25, 2026

Working out the ages of the Tsimanes is not an exact science, however.

From BBC • Aug. 17, 2024

But the exact science behind it remains unclear and more research needs to be done.

From Salon • Jul. 18, 2024

They use terms like “germline mosaicism,” “chromosome rearrangement,” or “delayed mutation” to explain why their science is not an exact science.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023