# science

/ˈsaɪəns/ (US) · /sˈaɪəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/science
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the general field of study

noun · CEFR A1

the study of the physical world and how it works, based on facts and testing.

For teachers: the systematic enterprise that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.

- 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.

### 2. a specific subject

noun · CEFR A2

a particular branch of knowledge, such as biology, chemistry, or physics.

For teachers: a specific discipline or branch of learning that deals with a particular area of the natural or social world.

- 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.

### 3. the scientific community

noun · CEFR B2

the group of people who work as scientists.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to use science to solve a problem

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

to use scientific methods or tools to fix a tricky situation.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She loves studying science at school.
- Recent advances in medical science have led to more effective treatments for common illnesses.
- While the technical aspects of the project are sound, the team must still master the social science of managing diverse stakeholder expectations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.