hard science

American  

noun

1. any of the natural or physical sciences, as chemistry, biology, physics, or astronomy, in which aspects of the universe are investigated by means of hypotheses and experiments.

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hard science British  

noun

1. 1. one of the natural or physical sciences, such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, or astronomy

   2. ( as modifier )

      a hard-science lecture

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Other Word Forms

• hard scientist noun

Etymology

Origin of hard science

First recorded in 1965–70

Compare meaning

How does hard-science compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hard science vs. soft science

Example Sentences

One commands that universities with endowments of more than $2 million per undergraduate “will not charge tuition for admitted students pursuing hard science programs,” although schools can still make rich kids pay.

From The Wall Street Journal

Universities with an endowment of $2 million per undergraduate student are asked to waive tuition for students who pursue “hard science” programs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Schools that sign on would have to cap tuition for U.S. students for five years and the wealthiest campuses would not charge tuition at all for students pursuing “hard science programs.”

From Los Angeles Times

According to the committee report, concepts related to race, gender, societal status, as well as social and environmental justice undermine hard science.

From Salon

“It shows a lot of hard science at work that’s actually going to have an impact on the public and hopefully make people safer,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times