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

“I think short of the transporter, most things you see in science fiction are, in the next decade, the kinds of things you’ll see,” Bill Gates said in 2007.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Then he paid high school students to write on the papyrus using passages from "Star Wars," the Bible, and a quote from the 1960s science fiction television show "The Outer Limits."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 26, 2026

Consequently, the strongest science fiction may not choose between hope and warning.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Instead, when people spoke about medbeds, it was in the context of science fiction.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

Anger sends out a strange energy, like a force field in a science fiction movie.

From "Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story" by Nora Raleigh Baskin

Related Words

• SF
• sci-fi