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

Those are a few of the factors that make SpaceX unique—if being the first company to turn what amounted to science fiction into a trillion-dollar valuation wasn’t enough.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

It’s more like the language of Robert A. Heinlein, who wrote science fiction.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

It also has a commemorative silver tray Isro presented to the science fiction author Arthur C Clarke in 2007 on his 90th birthday.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

The idea of orbital solar-power systems has been around for decades, discussed in the pages of an Isaac Asimov science fiction story published in 1941 and explored at universities and government research laboratories.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 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