computer science: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighFormal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “computer science” mean?
The study of the principles and use of computers, including computation, data processing, and system design.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The study of the principles and use of computers, including computation, data processing, and system design.
The academic and professional discipline encompassing the theory, experimentation, and engineering that form the basis for the design and use of computers. It involves studying algorithms, data structures, programming, software/hardware systems, artificial intelligence, and the theoretical limits of computation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The abbreviation 'CS' is common in both. The term 'informatics' is sometimes used in the UK/Europe as a broader synonym, but is less common in the US.
Connotations
In both varieties, it strongly connotes a rigorous academic discipline within STEM. In the US, it is often associated with the tech industry and Silicon Valley.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties due to the global nature of the field.
Grammar
How to Use “computer science” in a Sentence
[study/take/major in] + computer science[degree/department/professor] of + computer science[advances/developments] in + computer scienceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “computer science” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She hopes to computer-science her way into a fintech career.
- The module computer-sciences the core algorithms.
American English
- He's trying to computer-science a solution to the data problem.
- The course computer-sciences the fundamentals of networking.
adverb
British English
- He approached the problem very computer-science-ly.
- The system was designed computer-science-ally.
American English
- She thinks computer-science-ly about most issues.
- It was a computer-science-ally sound solution.
adjective
British English
- She has a computer-science background.
- It was a computer-science-heavy curriculum.
American English
- He's looking for a computer-science job.
- They attended a computer-science-focused conference.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when discussing hiring needs, R&D departments, or the technical expertise required for projects.
Academic
The primary context, referring to university courses, research papers, and academic departments.
Everyday
Used when someone asks about a person's field of study or profession.
Technical
Used precisely to distinguish from related fields like software engineering, computer engineering, or information systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “computer science”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “computer science”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “computer science”
- Using 'computer science' to mean general computer literacy (e.g., 'I need to improve my computer science' is wrong).
- Confusing it with 'computer engineering', which focuses more on hardware.
- Misspelling as 'computerscience' (should be two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Programming (coding) is a vital tool and activity within computer science, but the field is much broader, including theory, algorithms, hardware interaction, and systems design.
CS focuses on the creation and understanding of the underlying technology (software, algorithms, systems). IT focuses on applying and managing that technology within organizations to meet business needs.
Yes, a strong foundation in mathematics, particularly logic, discrete math, and algebra, is essential for understanding core computer science theory and algorithms.
Yes, in standard usage it is always written as two separate words. The hyphenated form 'computer-science' is only used when acting as a compound modifier (e.g., a computer-science degree).
The study of the principles and use of computers, including computation, data processing, and system design.
Computer science is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Computer science: in British English it is pronounced /kəmˈpjuːtə ˌsaɪəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəmˈpjuːt̬ɚ ˌsaɪəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not rocket science, it's computer science.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMPUTER SCIENCE = the SCIENCE of how to make COMPUTERS work and solve problems.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPUTER SCIENCE IS A FOUNDATION (for the digital world). COMPUTER SCIENCE IS A TOOLKIT (for solving problems).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate description of 'computer science'?