natural science
B2Formal, Academic
Definition
Meaning
A branch of science that deals with the description, prediction, and understanding of natural phenomena, based on empirical evidence from observation and experimentation.
An umbrella term for the sciences that study the physical world, its phenomena, and the laws that govern it, traditionally excluding the formal sciences (e.g., mathematics, logic) and the social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology). Major disciplines include physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and Earth science.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used in the plural form 'natural sciences'. The term distinguishes scientific inquiry into the material universe from the study of human society ('social science') or abstract reasoning ('formal science'). In some contexts, it can be synonymous with 'physical science', but it commonly includes life sciences like biology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slight preference for 'natural sciences' (plural) in British academic contexts, but both forms are standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Both varieties associate the term strongly with university departments, school curricula, and rigorous empirical methodology.
Frequency
Equally frequent and standard in academic and educational contexts in both the UK and US.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
He majored in [natural science].The museum has a wing dedicated to [the natural sciences].A grounding in [the natural sciences] is essential.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The book of nature (metaphor for studying natural science)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. May appear in contexts like 'pharmaceuticals rely on natural science research.'
Academic
Very common. Found in course titles, department names, research proposals, and academic publications.
Everyday
Moderately common, typically in educational contexts (e.g., talking about school subjects, university choices).
Technical
Common. Used precisely to demarcate a field of study from engineering, computer science, or social sciences.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The programme aims to natural-science the curriculum.
- They are attempting to natural-science the field of archaeology.
American English
- The school district voted to natural-science its elementary program.
- The approach seeks to natural-science policy analysis.
adverb
British English
- The phenomenon was explained natural-scientifically.
- He argued his point natural-scientifically.
American English
- The team investigated the claim natural-scientifically.
- She approached the topic natural-scientifically.
adjective
British English
- He took a natural-science approach to the problem.
- She has a strong natural-science background.
American English
- The university promotes natural-science literacy.
- It was a natural-science discovery of great importance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We learn about plants in natural science class.
- Is geography a natural science?
- She decided to study natural science at university because she loves biology and chemistry.
- The natural science museum has a new exhibition on dinosaurs.
- Advances in the natural sciences have profoundly changed our understanding of the universe.
- A solid foundation in the natural sciences is required for this engineering course.
- The epistemological divide between the natural sciences and the humanities was a central theme of 19th-century thought.
- His research straddles the boundary between applied mathematics and the pure natural sciences.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SCIENTIST studying things found in NATURE (rocks, plants, stars) to remember 'NATURAL SCIENCE'.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURE IS A BOOK TO BE READ (understanding natural laws is like reading a text).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'естественная наука' when referring to specific subjects like 'chemistry' or 'biology' in casual conversation; the English term is broader.
- The Russian term 'естествознание' is a near-perfect cognate and carries the same academic/formal register.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'natural science' as a countable singular for a specific science (e.g., 'Biology is a natural science' is correct; 'I study a natural science' is vague).
- Confusing it with 'natural history', which is more observational and descriptive, focusing on organisms and geology.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is typically NOT considered a core natural science?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, mathematics is generally classified as a formal science, not a natural science. Natural sciences rely on empirical observation of the natural world, while mathematics is based on logical reasoning from axioms.
Natural science studies the physical and natural world (e.g., physics, biology). Social science studies human society and social relationships (e.g., economics, sociology).
Both are correct. The singular often refers to the general concept or field as a whole. The plural is commonly used when referring to the collection of specific disciplines (biology, chemistry, etc.) or in institutional names (e.g., Faculty of Natural Sciences).
Not exactly. 'Natural history' is a more observational and descriptive study of organisms and natural objects (like in a museum context). 'Natural science' is a broader, more experimental and theoretical field aimed at discovering the laws governing nature.