Definitions
01the general field of study
A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun Science
n. the study of the physical world and how it works, based on facts and testing.
n. the systematic enterprise that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.
日本語:科学※
“Advances in modern science have helped us understand how viruses spread.”
“The fundamental principles of science require that any hypothesis be subjected to rigorous testing and peer review before being accepted as fact.”
Synonyms
02a specific subject
A2 · Elementary Countable noun Science
n. a particular branch of knowledge, such as biology, chemistry, or physics.
n. a specific discipline or branch of learning that deals with a particular area of the natural or social world.
日本語:学問※
“Chemistry was my favourite science when I was a student in high school.”
“While biology is often considered a soft science by some, it relies on the same mathematical foundations as physics.”
Synonyms
03the scientific community
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the group of people who work as scientists.
n. the collective body of scientists and researchers working within established institutions.
“The government consulted with science before making the new environmental laws.”
“The report reflects the consensus within science regarding the long-term impacts of carbon emissions on global temperatures.”
Synonyms
04to use science to solve a problem
C1 · Advanced Informal · Humorous
v. to use scientific methods or tools to fix a tricky situation.
v. to apply scientific principles or technical knowledge to resolve a specific challenge. Transitive — requires a direct object.
“We had a problem with the water filter, but we managed to science it until it worked again.”
“In the film, the protagonist famously declares that he will have to science the problem to survive on the desolate planet.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'science the [something] out of it' or 'science the problem'.
Teaching tip
This verbal use is a modern 'verbing' of the noun, popularised by science fiction media; it should be avoided in academic writing.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “science” in context.
Real-World Examples
“The bare-throated bellbird will never win a spot on one of those soothing nature soundtracks — but at least it’s vying for the title of loudest bird known to science.” Etymology
From Middle English science, scyence, borrowed from Old French science, escience, from Latin scientia (“knowledge”), from sciens, the present participle stem of scire (“to know”).
See scion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Related words
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/science
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0