science fiction

noun

: fiction dealing principally with the impact of actual or imagined science on society or individuals or having a scientific factor as an essential orienting component
science-fictional adjective

Examples of science fiction in a Sentence

Time travel exists only in the realm of science fiction.
Recent Examples on the Web None of VanderMeer’s novels is easy to categorize, but many fall within the tradition of weird fiction, a genre that combines elements of fantasy and science fiction while trafficking in the unknowability of the universe. Amy Brady, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2024 Artificial General Intelligence—machines that can learn and perform any cognitive task that a human can—has long been relegated to the realm of science fiction. Daniel Colson, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024 This comedic science fiction has since become a cultural icon with a passionate fanbase. The Arizona Republic, 11 Oct. 2024 The movement would set the hour and minutes into two separate pod-like structures that were inspired by old school science fiction spaceships, and brought to life by designer Eric Giroud and Max Busser, and produced by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht. Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for science fiction 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'science fiction.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of science fiction was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near science fiction

Cite this Entry

“Science fiction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/science%20fiction. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

science fiction

noun
: fiction that deals with the influence of real or imagined science on society or individuals
science-fictional
ˈsī-ən(t)s-ˈfik-shnəl
-shən-ᵊl
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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