Final answer:
Science has two definitions from different dictionaries and is described as an enterprise focused on building testable knowledge of the universe. A scientific theory is a thoroughly tested explanation, which differs from the casual use of 'theory' in everyday language.
Step-by-step explanation:
Definitions of Science
Definition A: Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. (Source: Oxford English Dictionary)
Definition B: Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence. (Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Scientific Theory
A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of knowledge that has been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation. Scientific theories are used to make predictions about future observations.
Theory in Science vs. Everyday Language
In science, a theory is a well-tested, broad explanation for a range of phenomena, whereas in everyday language, the word "theory" often refers to a guess or a hypothesis that has not been as rigorously tested.