Dictionary.com

social science

Save This Word!

noun
the study of society and social behavior.
a science or field of study, as history, economics, etc., dealing with an aspect of society or forms of social activity.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of social science

First recorded in 1775–85

OTHER WORDS FROM social science

social scientist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use social science in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for social science

social science

noun
the study of society and of the relationship of individual members within society, including economics, history, political science, psychology, anthropology, and sociology
any of these subjects studied individually

Derived forms of social science

social scientist, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for social science

social science
[ sōshəl ]

Any of various disciplines that study human society and social relationships, including sociology, psychology, anthropology, economics, political science, and history.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for social science

social science

The study of how groups of people behave, often in an effort to predict how they will behave in the future. The social sciences include economics, anthropology, sociology, political science, and aspects of psychology and history.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
FEEDBACK