big science: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “big science” mean?
Large-scale scientific research that requires substantial funding, complex equipment, and collaboration among many scientists.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Large-scale scientific research that requires substantial funding, complex equipment, and collaboration among many scientists.
A mode of scientific practice characterized by large teams, expensive infrastructure, and often government or corporate sponsorship, typically in fields like particle physics, space exploration, or genomics. It can also refer to the institutional and cultural system supporting such research.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used with a critical or analytical tone in UK academic discourse regarding science policy.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in academic and policy contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “big science” in a Sentence
The [PROJECT] is a classic example of big science.Big science requires [NOUN: substantial investment/collaboration].The shift towards big science has [VERB: transformed/altered] research culture.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “big science” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The big-science approach has its critics.
- They secured big-science funding from the council.
American English
- It was a big-science endeavor from the start.
- The big-science model dominates physics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in discussions of R&D investment or partnerships with major research institutions.
Academic
Common in history/philosophy/sociology of science, science policy, and descriptions of fields like particle physics or astronomy.
Everyday
Very rare. Unlikely to be used in casual conversation.
Technical
Used technically within science studies and policy discussions to describe a specific research paradigm.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “big science”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “big science”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “big science”
- Using it as an adjective before an unrelated noun (e.g., 'big science experiment' is vague; 'a big science project' is correct).
- Confusing it with 'popular science' (science communication for the public).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. It is a descriptive term, but can be used critically to imply bureaucracy, high cost, or a shift away from individual scholarship.
Typically no. Big science involves large, often international, collaborations and infrastructure beyond the scope of a single lab.
'Little science' or 'small science,' referring to traditional, hypothesis-driven research conducted by individuals or small groups with modest budgets.
Usually not, unless it begins a sentence or is part of an official title (e.g., a book titled 'The Era of Big Science').
Large-scale scientific research that requires substantial funding, complex equipment, and collaboration among many scientists.
Big science is usually formal, academic, journalistic in register.
Big science: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈsaɪəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɪɡ ˈsaɪəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific compound noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'Big Bang' theory—a massive concept studied by 'big science' with huge telescopes and particle colliders.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCIENCE IS AN INDUSTRY (with factories, budgets, and workforces).
Practice
Quiz
Which field is MOST commonly associated with 'big science'?