Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

scientific-theory

noun

/ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk ˈθɪəri/

Definition

A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of evidence and has stood up to repeated testing and scrutiny.

Examples

Einstein’s theory of relativity fundamentally changed our understanding of time and space.
The germ theory of disease led to significant advancements in medicine and public health.

Meaning

A scientific theory is an explanation that connects various observations and experimental results in a cohesive and testable manner. It is not merely a guess or hypothesis, but is supported by a significant amount of evidence.