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

The new case is the latest proof that AI loss-of-control scenarios, once confined to science fiction and AI-safety experiments, are now a real-world issue.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

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

From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026

My favorite book is “Frankenstein,” written by a teenage girl who invented science fiction.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2026

It came about because Kepler wrote one of the first works of science fiction, intended to explain and popularize science.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan

Related Words

• SF
• sci-fi