The authors challenge the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) 2006 planet definition, arguing that scientific definitions should emerge organically from usage within expert communities, not ...

Many words in the English language that seem remarkably common have a surprising secondary definition known mostly to scientists in different disciplines. Here are 18 words drawn from the American ...

In 2008, the National Academy of Sciences put forth a textbook-ish definition of "science": "The use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the ...

The International Astronomical Union defines a planet as a celestial body that orbits the sun, is massive enough that gravity has forced it into a spherical shape, and has cleared away other objects ...

Asking a biologist to define 'life' is a bit like looking-up the word 'definition' in a dictionary — it's as if you're questioning their very existence. Biologists like myself don't agree on what life ...

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in ...