science
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈaɪəns/
US
- /ˈsaɪəns/
Description
- knowledge
- study of the natural world
- systematic pursuit of understanding
Science is not just about lab coats and bubbling beakers, though those can be part of it. It is a way of learning about the world through careful observation, testing, and clear thinking. Think of a child taking apart a toy to see how it works. That is an early form of scientific thinking. Science tries to explain everything from tiny particles to outer space. It is not just about what we know, but how we find things out. It includes many fields, such as biology, chemistry, and physics. You use it every day, even if you do not notice it: cooking uses chemical changes, weather forecasts use data, and the phone in your hand exists because of many years of research.
Science is a systematic and organized way of building knowledge about the world through observation, experimentation, and logical reasoning. It is more than just a collection of facts; it is a careful process for studying how things happen, forming explanations, and testing those explanations against evidence. Imagine early humans noticing that certain plants could help heal wounds. That was an early step toward medical science.
The word "science" comes from the Latin "scientia," meaning "knowledge." But science is not just any kind of knowledge. Unlike simply believing something is true, it asks for evidence. Scientists form hypotheses, or possible explanations, and then design experiments or studies to test them. If the results support the idea, our understanding grows stronger. If not, the idea is changed or set aside.
Science is not limited to fields like physics and chemistry. It also includes social sciences such as psychology, sociology, and economics, which study people, behavior, and societies in systematic ways. Even areas like art and music can be studied with scientific methods when people examine patterns, structures, or how humans respond to them. Because new discoveries can change old ideas, science is always growing. It is also a shared effort across countries and generations. From developing life-saving medicines to improving energy, farming, and technology, science plays a major role in shaping the modern world and helping us solve problems.
Examples
- 1
School subject
Science was always her favorite subject at school.
- 2
Classroom experiment
We did a simple science experiment with vinegar and baking soda in class.
- 3
University study
He studied computer science at university.
- 4
Medicine
Science has given doctors better ways to detect disease early.
- 5
Public explanation
The podcast explains the science of sleep in a way that is easy to understand.
- 6
Evidence
The science behind those health claims is still weak.
Pattern
the science behind + claim/idea
the research or evidence supporting it
- 7
Scientific careers
We need more women in science and engineering.
Phrase
in science
working or studying in scientific fields
- 8
Academic fields
Economics is often taught as one of the social sciences.
Phrase
social sciences
subjects that study society and human behavior
- 9
Government policy
During the crisis, many people said the government should follow the science.
Phrase
follow the science
base decisions on scientific evidence
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sciencenoun
Forms
- sciencespluralnoun