Science — English Vocabulary
40 essential words about science in the live bank, with meanings and examples. Open any word for its full page.
evolve /ɪˈvɒlv/ verb B2
To develop gradually over a long time into a different form — used for living things changing over generations and for ideas and systems growing.
Example: Birds evolved from small dinosaurs.
oxygen /ˈɒksɪdʒən/ noun B2
The gas in air that humans and animals need to breathe and that is necessary for fire to burn.
Example: Plants produce oxygen.
liquid /ˈlɪkwɪd/ noun / adjective B2
A substance that flows and takes the shape of its container, like water or oil (not a solid or gas); in this state.
Example: Pour the liquid into the bottle.
solid /ˈsɒlɪd/ adjective / noun B2
Hard and keeping a fixed shape (not liquid or gas); also strong and reliable ('a solid plan', 'solid work').
Example: Ice is solid water.
volume /ˈvɒljuːm/ noun B2
The amount of space that an object or substance occupies; also the loudness of sound, and one book in a series.
Example: The volume of the box is two liters.
wave /weɪv/ noun B2
A raised line of water moving across the sea; also the shape that energy (sound, light, heat) travels in; and a hand movement saying hello or goodbye.
Example: Big waves hit the beach.
force /fɔːrs/ noun B2
Physical power or energy that pushes or pulls and makes things move or change; also strength used by police or armies, and to make someone do something (verb).
Example: Gravity is a force.
mass /mæs/ noun B2
The amount of matter in an object (measured in kilograms); also a large amount or group of people, and a church service in some traditions.
Example: The mass of the Earth is huge.
heat /hiːt/ noun B2
Hotness; the energy that makes things warm, produced by fire, sun, or machines; also a qualifying round in sports.
Example: The heat of the fire warmed the room.
friction /ˈfrɪkʃən/ noun B2
The force that slows things down when surfaces rub against each other; also disagreement and tension between people.
Example: Friction between the tire and road stops the car.
experiment /ɪkˈsperɪmənt/ noun / verb B2
A scientific test done to learn something or prove an idea.
Example: The class did an experiment with plants and light.
research /rɪˈsɜːrtʃ/ noun / verb B2
Careful study to discover new facts about a subject.
Example: Her research focuses on sleep and memory.
discover /dɪˈskʌvər/ verb B2
To find or learn something for the first time.
Example: Scientists discovered a new species in the forest.
theory /ˈθɪəri/ noun B2
An idea or set of ideas that explains facts or events, based on evidence.
Example: The theory of evolution explains how species change.
evidence /ˈevɪdəns/ noun B2
Facts, objects, or signs that show something is true.
Example: There is strong evidence that exercise helps memory.
method /ˈmeθəd/ noun B2
A planned way of doing something, especially in science or teaching.
Example: Their method of teaching reading works well.
result /rɪˈzʌlt/ noun B2
What happens at the end of an activity, test, or process; the outcome.
Example: The test results come out tomorrow.
develop /dɪˈveləp/ verb B2
To grow or change into something bigger, stronger, or more advanced; to create something new.
Example: Engineers develop new batteries here.
measure /ˈmeʒər/ verb / noun B2
To find the size, amount, or speed of something using a tool; an action taken to achieve a result.
Example: Measure the room before buying furniture.
data /ˈdeɪtə/ noun B2
Facts and numbers collected for study or decisions.
Example: The app collects data about your sleep.
molecule /ˈmɒlɪkjuːl/ noun C1
The smallest unit of a chemical substance that still has its properties, made of two or more atoms joined together.
Example: A water molecule has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.
atom /ˈætəm/ noun C1
The smallest unit of a chemical element that can exist; it has a center (nucleus) with electrons moving around it.
Example: Everything is made of atoms.
cell /sel/ noun C1
The smallest basic unit of a living organism; the body is built from trillions of them. Also a small room (prison) and a phone shorthand.
Example: The human body has trillions of cells.
gene /dʒiːn/ noun C1
A part of the DNA in a cell that controls which characteristics living things inherit from their parents.
Example: Eye color is decided by genes.
evolution /ˌiːvəˈluːʃən/ noun C1
The slow process by which living things change over many generations and new species develop; also gradual development of anything.
Example: Evolution shaped the whale from land animals.
gravity /ˈɡrævəti/ noun C1
The force that pulls objects toward each other, especially the Earth pulling things down; also seriousness.
Example: Gravity keeps our feet on the ground.
orbit /ˈɔːrbɪt/ noun / verb C1
The curved path an object follows around a planet or star in space; to travel in such a path.
Example: The Earth completes one orbit each year.
fossil /ˈfɒsəl/ noun C1
The remains or shape of a plant or animal from long ago, preserved in rock.
Example: They found a dinosaur fossil in Montana.
specimen /ˈspesəmɪn/ noun C1
A single example of something (a plant, animal, rock, or medical sample) collected for study or testing.
Example: The lab examined the water specimen.
particle /ˈpɑːrtɪkəl/ noun C1
A very small piece of something; in physics, the tiniest units of matter and energy.
Example: Dust particles float in sunlight.
observe /əbˈzɜːrv/ verb C1
To watch something carefully over time in order to learn about it; to notice something.
Example: Students observe the plants every day and record changes.
hypothesis /haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/ noun C1
An idea or explanation that can be tested through experiments and observation.
Example: Their hypothesis was that light helps seeds grow faster.
variable /ˈveəriəbəl/ noun / adjective C1
A factor that can change in an experiment; (adjective) not constant, able to change.
Example: Temperature is the key variable in this experiment.
sample /ˈsæmpəl/ noun C1
A small amount or group taken from something larger, used to study or test the whole.
Example: Doctors tested a blood sample.
procedure /prəˈsiːdʒər/ noun C1
An official or standard way of doing something, with steps in a fixed order.
Example: Follow the safety procedure exactly.
evaluate /ɪˈvæljueɪt/ verb C1
To judge the quality, importance, or value of something carefully.
Example: Teachers evaluate students' progress each term.
finding /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/ noun C1
A piece of information discovered through research or an official investigation.
Example: The study's main finding surprised everyone.
component /kəmˈpəʊnənt/ noun C1
One part of a larger machine, system, or idea.
Example: Trust is a key component of any team.
significant /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/ adjective C1
Important or large enough to matter; in statistics, unlikely to be caused by chance.
Example: The study found a significant improvement in scores.
analysis /əˈnæləsɪs/ noun C1
The careful examination of something's parts to understand it better.
Example: A data analysis revealed the pattern.