Noun

Singular science

Plural sciences

science (plural sciences)

1. The collective discipline of study or learning acquired through the scientific method; the sum of knowledge gained from such methods and discipline.
   • 1951 January 1, Albert Einstein, letter to Maurice Solovine, as published in Letters to Solovine (1993)

     I have found no better expression than "religious" for confidence in the rational nature of reality [...] Whenever this feeling is absent, science degenerates into uninspired empiricism.

2. A particular discipline or branch of learning, especially one dealing with measurable or systematic principles rather than intuition or natural ability.

   Of course in my opinion Social Studies is more of a science than an art.

3. (archaic) Knowledge gained through study or practice; mastery of a particular discipline or area.

   I have much science concerning fire and smoke.

4. (now only theology) The fact of knowing something; knowledge or understanding of a truth:
   • 1611, King James Version of the Bible, I Timothy 6:20-21

     O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding vain and profane babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

Derived terms

• applied science
• computer science
• dismal science
• down to a science
• earth science
• exact science
• fundamental science

• hard science
• information science
• library science
• life science
• marine science
• pseudoscience
• pure science

• science fiction
• scientific
• scientifically
• scientist
• social science
• soft science

Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning "knowledge") is, in its broadest sense, any systematic knowledge-base or prescriptive practice that is capable of resulting in a prediction or predictable type of outcome. In this sense, science may refer to a highly skilled technique or practice.

In its more restricted contemporary sense, science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on scientific method, and to the organized body of knowledge gained through such research. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word. Science as discussed in this article is sometimes called experimental science to differentiate it from applied science, which is the application of scientific research to specific human needs—although the two are commonly interconnected.

Science is a continuing effort to discover and increase human knowledge and understanding through disciplined research. Using controlled methods, scientists collect observable evidence of natural or social phenomena, record measurable data relating to the observations, and analyze this information to construct theoretical explanations of how things work. The methods of scientific research include the generation of hypotheses about how phenomena work, and experimentation that tests these hypotheses under controlled conditions. Scientists are also expected to publish their information so other scientists can do similar experiments to double-check their conclusions. The results of this process enable better understanding of past events, and better ability to predict future events of the same kind as those that have been tested.

The ability of the general population to understand the basic concepts related to science is referred to as scientific literacy.