social science

American  

noun

1. the study of society and social behavior.

2. a science or field of study, as history, economics, etc., dealing with an aspect of society or forms of social activity.

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social science British  

noun

1. the study of society and of the relationship of individual members within society, including economics, history, political science, psychology, anthropology, and sociology

2. any of these subjects studied individually

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social science Scientific  

/ sō′shəl /

1. Any of various disciplines that study human society and social relationships, including sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science, and history.

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social science Cultural  

1. The study of how groups of people behave, often in an effort to predict how they will behave in the future. The social sciences include economics, anthropology, sociology, political science, and aspects of psychology and history.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• social scientist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of social science

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Professor David Voas, emeritus professor of social science at University College London, was one of those who raised suspicion over the Bible Society's findings.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

I am part of an interdisciplinary team of computer science, AI, cybersecurity, psychology, social science, journalism and policy researchers who have sounded the alarm about the threat of malicious AI swarms.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2026

The good news is that social science has answers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 30, 2025

The state-approved social science framework notes that teachers should use age-appropriate materials to discuss and teach about the “the diversity of humankind.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

I really considered this study a social science, not a hard science, and I wasn't interested in the squishy stuff, so I had stayed away.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Related Words

• business
• finance