materials science

American

noun

the study of the characteristics and uses of various materials, as glass, plastics, and metals.

Etymology

Origin of materials science

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

CEO Jacob DeWitte described the agreement as a merging of reactor deployment, high-performance computing power, and “world-class fuel and materials science expertise.”

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

They were named for their structural resemblance to perovskites, a broader class of oxide materials widely studied in materials science.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

Beyond materials science, the technology is expected to have a profound impact on the financial and pharmaceutical sectors.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Amit Pathak, a professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the McKelvey School of Engineering, studies how cells interact with the physical properties of their surroundings.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

“The binding constraints are migrating into the physical layer: materials science, molecular engineering, and specialty chemistry.”

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023