science fiction

American  

[sahy-uhns fik-shuhn] / ˈsaɪ əns ˈfɪk ʃən /

Also scifi,

noun

1. a form of fiction that draws imaginatively on scientific knowledge and speculation in its plot, setting, theme, etc.

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science fiction British  

noun

1. 1. a literary genre that makes imaginative use of scientific knowledge or conjecture

   2. ( as modifier )

      a science fiction writer

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science fiction Cultural  

1. Works of fiction that use scientific discoveries or advanced technology — either actual or imaginary — as part of their plot. Jules Verne and H. G. Wells were early writers of science fiction. More recent ones are Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury.

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Etymology

Origin of science fiction

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

science fiction

According to data firm Circana BookScan, science fiction sales in 2025 were up 22.1% in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

Combining detective work and science fiction is nothing new — see “Sugar,” currently; “The X-Files,” classically.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

For decades, the concept of terraforming Mars has lived mostly in the realm of science fiction.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

Even its name, StormWall, sounds like science fiction, but authorities on space weather say it could work, mitigating an event that happens, they estimate, once a century.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

Mr. Keeney was already at his desk, reading another paperback science fiction book.

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• SF
• sci-fi