Definition

1. Noun:
   • A systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe: "Science" refers to the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence.
   • A particular branch of such knowledge or study: "Science" can also denote a specific, organized field of scientific study, such as physics or biology.
   • (Archaic/Humorous) Knowledge in general; skill or proficiency acquired through experience or study: In older or more informal contexts, it can refer to any body of knowledge or a skill, especially a technical one.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Advances in medical science have saved countless lives.
  • Biology is the science of life.
  • He has the science of cooking down to a fine art. (informal/archaic usage)

Advanced Usage

• "The dismal science": A historical and sometimes humorous nickname for the field of economics.
  • Thomas Carlyle coined the term "the dismal science" to describe economics.
• "Hard/soft science": A distinction often made between the natural sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry) and the social sciences (e.g., sociology, psychology).
  • Physics is considered a hard science, while anthropology is often categorized as a soft science.

Variants and Related Words

• Scientist (n): A person who is studying or has expert knowledge in one or more of the natural or physical sciences.
  • Marie Curie was a pioneering scientist.
• Scientific (adj): Based on or characterized by the methods and principles of science.
  • They conducted a scientific experiment.
• Scientifically (adv): In a way that relates to or uses science.
  • The theory was scientifically proven.

Synonyms

• Discipline: A branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education.
• Field (of study): A particular branch of study or sphere of activity or interest.

Related Phrases

• "Science fiction": A genre of fiction that imaginatively depicts futuristic settings, advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life. (Listed here as a common compound, not as a definition of "science" itself).
• "Political science": The study of politics and government.
• "Computer science": The study of computers and computational systems.

Idioms and Expressions

• "It's not rocket science": Used to say that something is not difficult to understand or do.
  • Just follow the instructions; it's not rocket science.
• "To blind someone with science": To confuse someone by using technical or complicated language.
  • The lawyer tried to blind the jury with science during his technical explanation.

Noun

1. ability to produce solutions in some problem domain
   • the skill of a well-trained boxer
   • the sweet science of pugilism
2. a particular branch of scientific knowledge
   • the science of genetics