scientific

adjective

sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌsī-ən-ˈti-fik How to pronounce scientific (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or exhibiting the methods or principles of science
2
: conducted in the manner of science or according to results of investigation by science : practicing or using thorough or systematic methods
scientific advertising
scientific baby care
a scientific boxer
scientifically
ˌsī-ən-ˈti-fi-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce scientific (audio)
adverb

Examples of scientific in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In that paper, published in December in the scientific journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, the researchers found that the average amount of farts was around 32 during that time period. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 This echoed Frederick Winslow Taylor’s idea of scientific management, which sought efficiency through control and standardization of the labor process. — Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026 In scientific computing, this initial step is called state preparation. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026 The book marshalled substantial scientific evidence, and reinforced the intuitions of parents dismayed by their phone-addled children. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scientific

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French and Medieval Latin; Middle French sientifique, scientifique, borrowed from Medieval Latin scientificus "producing knowledge, relating to knowledge" (translating Greek epistēmonikós), from Latin scientia "knowledge, science" + -ficus -fic

Note: The Medieval Latin transition in sense from "producing knowledge" to "relating to knowledge" (in the text of a translation of Aristotle's Posterior Analytics) is described in detail in the Oxford English Dictionary, third edition.

First Known Use

1645, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scientific was in 1645

Phrases Containing scientific

Rhymes for scientific

See All Rhymes for scientific

Browse Nearby Words

scientia scientiarum
scientific
scientifical
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Scientific.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scientific. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

scientific

adjective
sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌsī-ən-ˈtif-ik How to pronounce scientific (audio)
: of, relating to, or exhibiting the methods or rules of science
scientifically
-ˈtif-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce scientific (audio)
adverb

Medical Definition

scientific

adjective
sci·​en·​tif·​ic ˌsī-ən-ˈtif-ik How to pronounce scientific (audio)
: of, relating to, or exhibiting the methods or principles of science
scientifically
-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce scientific (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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