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

ˈsī-ən(t)s-ˈfik-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Examples of science fiction in a Sentence

Time travel exists only in the realm of science fiction.

Recent Examples on the Web

The risk that powerful AI models could evade human control and hurt humanity, once the stuff of science fiction, has been emerging as a more pressing concern. — Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

Pocket Books and Penguin Books therefore specialized in classics that were in the public domain and in reprinting commercial and genre fiction, primarily mysteries, science fiction, and Westerns. — Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026

With near-daily developments and revelations of more hacks and rogue AI agents, this no longer is the stuff of science fiction. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Rao made some 60 features in the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi languages, and moved between farce, fantasy, mythology and science fiction. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for science fiction

• antifriction
• benediction
• contradiction
• crucifixion
• dereliction
• interdiction
• jurisdiction
• malediction
• addiction
• affliction
• constriction
• conviction

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