- any of the sciences concerned with nonliving matter, energy, and the physical properties of the universe, such as physics, chemistry, astronomy, and geology
Compare life science
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ˈphys•i•cal ˈsci•ence, n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Physicsany of the natural sciences dealing with non-living matter or energy, as physics, chemistry, and astronomy: [uncountable]Does physical science get more funding from the government?[countable]He was more interested in the physical sciences than in the life sciences.
phys′ical sci′ence,
- Physicsany of the natural sciences dealing with inanimate matter or with energy, as physics, chemistry, and astronomy.
- Physicsthese sciences collectively.
- 1835–45
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
physical science n
'physical science' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):