Glossary: Terms Starting with D
67 definitions in Science with links to the lessons that teach each word.
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data
ScienceFrom Grade 2
information we collect
Learn it in: Recording observations (Grade 2), Weather records (Grade 2), Recording results (Grade 4)
decanting
ScienceFrom Grade 6
pouring off a liquid from a settled solid
Learn it in: Separation methods (Grade 6)
decay
ScienceFrom Grade 4
the breaking down of dead things
Learn it in: Decomposers (Grade 4), Decomposers (Grade 5)
decision matrix
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a table that scores ideas
Learn it in: Designing simple solutions (Grade 3)
decision table
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a table that scores ideas against criteria
Learn it in: Designing prototypes (Grade 5)
decomposer
ScienceFrom Grade 4
an organism that breaks down dead matter
Learn it in: Decomposers (Grade 4), Decomposers (Grade 5), Major groups of living things (Grade 6)
deforestation
ScienceFrom Grade 2
cutting down many trees
Learn it in: Human effects on habitats (Grade 2), Soil erosion (Grade 3), Human impacts (Grade 3)
degrees Celsius
ScienceFrom Grade 2
the units for temperature, written °C
Learn it in: Temperature (Grade 2)
density
ScienceFrom Grade 4
how heavy a material is for its size
Learn it in: Rock properties (Grade 4), Structural materials (Grade 5), Matter (Grade 6)
depend
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to need
Learn it in: Plants and animals in our environment (Grade 1), Food and shelter (Grade 2)
dependent variable
ScienceFrom Grade 3
the thing we measure
Learn it in: Planning investigations (Grade 3), Force investigations (Grade 3), Identifying variables (Grade 4)
describe
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to say what something is like
Learn it in: Describing colours, shapes and sizes (Grade 1), Functions of the senses (Grade 1)
design
ScienceFrom Grade 2
to plan how something will be made
Learn it in: Everyday uses of solids and liquids (Grade 2), Simple design project (Grade 2), The engineering design process (Grade 5)
design process
ScienceFrom Grade 3
steps used to solve a problem
Learn it in: What is engineering? (Grade 3)
detail
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a small part that helps us show something clearly
Learn it in: Recording observations using pictures (Grade 1)
detritivore
ScienceFrom Grade 5
an animal that eats dead matter such as a worm
Learn it in: Decomposers (Grade 5)
dew
ScienceFrom Grade 4
tiny water drops formed on cool surfaces at night
Full explanation with examples and practice →
Learn it in: Condensation (Grade 4)
dew point
ScienceFrom Grade 5
the temperature at which vapour condenses
Learn it in: Evaporation and condensation (Grade 5)
diagram
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a simple drawing that shows parts
Learn it in: Drawing scientific diagrams (Grade 2)
diameter
ScienceFrom Grade 4
the distance across a circle through the centre
Learn it in: Models of Earth and Moon (Grade 4)
diaphragm
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a muscle under the lungs
Learn it in: Breathing (Grade 3), Respiratory system (Grade 5), The respiratory system (Grade 6)
dielectric
ScienceFrom Grade 6
another word for an insulating material
Learn it in: Insulators (Grade 6)
differentiation
ScienceFrom Grade 6
cells becoming specialised
Learn it in: Multicellular organisms (Grade 6)
diffuse
ScienceFrom Grade 4
soft, spread-out light
Learn it in: Translucent materials (Grade 4), Gases (Grade 6)
diffusion
ScienceFrom Grade 5
spreading of particles from high to low concentration
Learn it in: Particle model introduction (Grade 5), Cell functions (Grade 6), Particle movement (Grade 6)
digestion
ScienceFrom Grade 5
breaking food into tiny parts the body can use
Learn it in: Digestive system (Grade 5), Human body systems (Grade 6), The digestive system (Grade 6)
digestive system
ScienceFrom Grade 3
the organs that break down food
Learn it in: Digestion introduction (Grade 3)
direction
ScienceFrom Grade 1
the way something is going
Learn it in: Changing direction (Grade 1), Pushes and pulls (Grade 2), Changing direction (Grade 2)
dispersal
ScienceFrom Grade 2
spreading seeds to new places
Learn it in: Seed dispersal (Grade 2), Seed dispersal (Grade 3)
displacement
ScienceFrom Grade 6
distance in a straight line with direction
Learn it in: Motion (Grade 6)
dissipate
ScienceFrom Grade 6
to spread out and become less useful
Learn it in: Energy transformation (Grade 6)
dissolve
ScienceFrom Grade 2
to mix into a liquid so it cannot be seen
Learn it in: Properties of liquids (Grade 2), Dissolving (Grade 4)
dissolved
ScienceFrom Grade 2
mixed in so it cannot be seen
Learn it in: Properties of liquids (Grade 2)
distance
ScienceFrom Grade 2
how far something travels
Learn it in: Changing speed (Grade 2), Sound and distance (Grade 2), Shadow changes (Grade 4)
distance–time graph
ScienceFrom Grade 6
a graph showing how distance changes with time
Learn it in: Motion (Grade 6)
distillation
ScienceFrom Grade 5
evaporating a liquid and condensing it to collect it
Learn it in: Evaporation and separation (Grade 5), Separation methods (Grade 6)
DNA
ScienceFrom Grade 6
the molecule holding the instructions for the cell
Learn it in: Basic cell structures (Grade 6)
domestic
ScienceFrom Grade 1
kept by people at home or on a farm
Learn it in: Domestic and wild animals (Grade 1)
drag
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to pull something along
Learn it in: Pulls (Grade 1), Air resistance (Grade 6)
drought
ScienceFrom Grade 3
a long time with little rain
Learn it in: Weather and farming (Grade 3), Environmental changes (Grade 4), Plant adaptations (Grade 5)
dry
ScienceFrom Grade 1
to remove water with a clean cloth or air
Learn it in: Handwashing (Grade 1), Evaporation (Grade 3), Evaporation (Grade 4)
dry fruit
ScienceFrom Grade 2
a fruit that is hard or papery, such as a pod
Learn it in: Fruits and seeds (Grade 2)
dry season
ScienceFrom Grade 1
a time of year with little rain
Learn it in: Weather changes (Grade 1), Seasonal changes (Grade 2), Seasonal patterns (Grade 3)
durability
ScienceFrom Grade 5
ability to last without wearing away
Learn it in: Structural materials (Grade 5)
durable
ScienceFrom Grade 3
lasting a long time
Learn it in: Material selection (Grade 3), Properties of materials (Grade 4), Selecting materials (Grade 5)
dwarf planet
ScienceFrom Grade 5
a small round world that shares its path with other objects
Learn it in: Planets (Grade 5), Earth in the Solar System (Grade 6)