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

While these projects sound like science fiction, they have a powerful draw.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Carl Erik Rinsch was accused of using Netflix funds intended to complete a science fiction series to buy cars, cryptocurrency and other luxuries for himself.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

You’re a science fiction writer and, as you state in your book we can’t just look at science fiction and be like, “That’s what’s going to happen.”

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

Among the most ambitious and challenging ideas riding this wave of enthusiasm is something that sounds almost like science fiction: orbital data centers.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 19, 2026

Yet many of the ideas of science fiction, like submarines and travel to the moon, have become matters of science fact.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Related Words

• SF
• sci-fi