science

science — noun

1. The organized study of the natural and physical world, based on observation, exp

1.nounA2
Definition

The organized study of the natural and physical world, based on observation, experimentation, and the development of theories that explain how things happen.

Example

Anjali decided to study science because she wanted to understand how the human body works.

collocation: study science

The science of genetics has helped doctors find new ways to treat disease.

science of [branch/field]

Common collocations
  • study science
  • modern science
  • science shows / proves / tells us
  • advances in science
Synonyms
  • knowledge

    broader — includes non-scientific knowledge such as history or philosophy

  • natural science

    more specific — refers only to fields that study the physical world

Antonyms
  • art

    art relies on creativity and expression rather than systematic experimentation

  • pseudoscience

    claims presented as scientific but lacking proper methodology

Grammar Patterns

usually uncountable

Usage Note

This sense is uncountable — you cannot say 'a science' to mean the whole system of knowledge. For a specific branch, see sense 3.

Common Mistakes

Science says the earth is round.
Scientific evidence shows that the earth is round.
Use 'science' for the field or system of knowledge, not as a speaking subject.

2. The information, facts, or conclusions that scientists produce by studying a par

2.nounB1
Definition

The information, facts, or conclusions that scientists produce by studying a particular question or problem.

Example

The science on climate change is clear: human activity is warming the planet.

the science on [topic]

Critics questioned the science behind the new drug's safety report.

the science behind [something]

Common collocations
  • the science on
  • the science behind
  • the science says
  • question the science
Synonyms
  • research

    focuses on the process of investigation; less about the conclusions drawn

  • findings

    more specific — refers to the results of a particular study or experiment

  • data

    narrower — refers to individual measurements rather than overall conclusions

Antonyms
  • opinion

    based on personal belief rather than systematic evidence

Grammar Patterns

usually uncountable

the science on [topic]

the science behind [something]

Usage Note

Often used in phrases like 'the science on…' or 'the science behind…' to refer to research findings on a specific topic. Frequently appears in debates about public policy, health, and the environment.

Common Mistakes

The science are clear about this issue.
The science is clear about this issue.
'science' in this sense is uncountable and takes a singular verb.

3. A particular area of study that follows scientific methods, such as biology, che

3.nounA2
Definition

A particular area of study that follows scientific methods, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or computer science.

Example

Computer science helped the hospital create a system to detect early signs of heart disease.

[adjective] science — applied to a real-world problem

Yasmin chose to study environmental science because she wanted to protect the planet.

Common collocations
  • computer science
  • political science
  • environmental science
  • natural science
  • social science
Synonyms
  • discipline

    more general — includes non-scientific fields of study

  • field

    more general — any area of study or work

  • subject

    more general — any topic taught in school

Grammar Patterns

[adjective] science — names a specific field

Usage Note

Used with an adjective to name a specific discipline (computer science, political science, materials science). When used without an adjective it often refers to natural sciences like biology, chemistry, or physics.

Common Mistakes

I studied politic science at university.
I studied political science at university.
The adjective form 'political' is needed, not 'politic'.

4. The study of science as a subject taught in school or university, covering topic

4.nounA1
Definition

The study of science as a subject taught in school or university, covering topics from biology, chemistry, and physics.

Example

Minh has a science test tomorrow and needs to study the solar system.

Jack's favourite subject in school has always been science.

Common collocations
  • science class
  • science teacher
  • science test
  • science project
  • science homework
Synonyms
  • subject

    more general — any topic taught at school

Grammar Patterns

usually uncountable

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 refers to the field of science as a whole system of knowledge, while this sense refers to science as a class or subject in an educational setting. Common in phrases like 'science class', 'science teacher', 'science homework'.

Idioms

blind somebody with science

idiom

To make someone feel confused by using difficult or technical words that they do not know.

The engineer blinded the client with science during the meeting.

Don't blind me with science; just explain it simply.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Science is a specific kind of knowledge — one that is built through systematic observation, experiment, and theory. Knowledge is the broader term, covering everything from personal experience to academic understanding in any field. Research focuses on the active process of investigation rather than the body of knowledge it produces. Learning is the act of acquiring knowledge or the knowledge gained through study. For example, 'Science has given us a vaccine for the virus' describes the result of systematic study. 'Research on the virus is ongoing' points to the investigative work itself. 'Our knowledge of viruses has grown' is the broadest statement. Use science when you want to emphasize the method and reliability of the information.

science ↗knowledge ↗research ↗learning ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

  • in science
  • of science
  • about science

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Science comes from the Latin word 'scientia', meaning 'knowledge'. It entered English through French in the Middle Ages. For centuries it meant any organized body of knowledge, but by the 19th century it had narrowed to refer specifically to knowledge gained through observation and experiment — the natural sciences as we know them today.