hard science

American  

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.

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hard science British  

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

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Other Word Forms

• hard scientist noun

Etymology

Origin of hard science

First recorded in 1965–70

Compare meaning

How does hard-science compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hard science vs. soft science

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 • Aug. 9, 2024

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 • Mar. 21, 2024

“What We Sow” is a mix of hard science, cultural tradition and storytelling with a healthy serving of what Christina Walters calls “math, mystery and magic.”

From Seattle Times • Sep. 23, 2023

“It’s the hard science of excavation that’s impressive here,” Pettitt says.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 4, 2023

I really considered this study a social science, not a hard science, and I wasn't interested in the squishy stuff, so I had stayed away.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan