science

sci‧ence S1 W1 /ˈsaɪəns/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: noun: ↑science, ↑scientist; adverb: ↑scientifically; adjective: ↑scientific ≠ ↑unscientific]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: Latin scientia 'knowledge', from scire 'to know']
1. [uncountable] knowledge about the world, especially based on examining, testing, and proving facts:
Many leading scientists do not consider that science can give absolutely reliable knowledge.
the founder of modern science, Isaac Newton
developments in science and technology
2. [uncountable] the study of science:
What did you do in science class today?
3. [countable] a particular part of science, for example ↑biology, ↑chemistry, or ↑physics:
the physical sciences
4. something is not an exact science used to say that something involves a lot of guessing and there is not just one right way to do it:
Advertising is not an exact science – you’re always taking a risk.
⇨ ↑domestic science, ↑information science, ↑natural science, ↑physical science, ↑social science, ⇨ blind somebody with science at ↑blind²(4), ⇨ something is not rocket science at ↑rocket science

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

science

sci·ence [science sciences] [ˈsaɪəns] [ˈsaɪəns] noun
1. uncountable knowledge about the structure and behaviour of the natural and physical world, based on facts that you can prove, for example by experiments
• new developments in science and technology
• the advance of modern science

• the laws of science

2. uncountable the study of science

• science students/teachers/courses

3. uncountable, countable a particular branch of science
• to study one of the sciences

compare art (⁶), humanities

4. singular a system for organizing the knowledge about a particular subject, especially one concerned with aspects of human behaviour or society
• a science of international politics
see also domestic science, earth science, life sciences, natural science, political science, rocket science, social science, see blind sb with science at blind _v.
Word Origin:
Middle English (denoting knowledge): from Old French, from Latin scientia, from scire ‘know’.
Example Bank:
• His essay is not based on good science.
• His experiments have achieved notoriety in the world of science.
• I was trying to remember what I had learnt about gravity in school science.
• Meteorology is the science of the weather.
• Politics is as much an art form as an exact science.
• President Bill Clinton's science adviser
• Research is critical to advancing medical science.
• The life sciences include biology and botany.
• The magazine contains a lot of popular science.
• The society provides advice on science policy.
• This rule is based on bad science.
• a writer of popular science books

• our ability to understand the science of environmental degradation

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

science / saɪəns / noun

A2 [ U ] (knowledge from) the careful study of the structure and behaviour of the physical world, especially by watching, measuring, and doing experiments, and the development of theories to describe the results of these activities:

pure/applied science

recent developments in science and technology

Space travel is one of the marvels/wonders of modern science.

B1 [ C or U ] a particular subject that is studied using scientific methods:

physical sciences

Economics is not an exact science.

advances in medical science

A2 [ U ] the study of science:

a science graduate/teacher

a science course/lesson

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

science

[sa͟ɪ͟əns]

sciences
1) N-UNCOUNT Science is the study of the nature and behaviour of natural things and the knowledge that we obtain about them.
  The best discoveries in science are very simple.
  ...science and technology.
2) N-COUNT: usu with supp A science is a particular branch of science such as physics, chemistry, or biology.
  Physics is the best example of a science which has developed strong, abstract theories.
  ...the science of microbiology.
3) N-COUNT: usu with supp A science is the study of some aspect of human behaviour, for example sociology or anthropology.
  ...the modern science of psychology.
4) → See also domestic science, exact science, Master of Science, political science, social science

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

science

sci·ence /ˈsajəns/ noun, pl -enc·es
1 [noncount] : knowledge about or study of the natural world based on facts learned through experiments and observation
• modern science
• the laws of science
• The program encourages students to pursue a career in science.
• a list of terms commonly used in science
• a new branch/field of science
• advances in science and technology
- often used before another noun
• science teachers/students/classes
• Each student is required to complete two science projects.
2 [count] : a particular area of scientific study (such as biology, physics, or chemistry) : a particular branch of science
• Students are required to take two sciences.
• students majoring in a science
- see also computer science, life science, natural science, physical science, rocket science
3 [count] : a subject that is formally studied in a college, university, etc.
• the science of linguistics
- see also political science, social science
4 [singular] : an activity that is done by using methods that are known to produce particular results
• Proper pitching is a science.
• Cooking is both a science and an art.
• He travels so much that he has packing his clothes down to a science. [=he can pack his clothes very quickly and efficiently because he does it so often]