society

[ suh-sahy-i-tee ]

noun

plural societies.

1. an organized group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes.

   Synonyms: company, brotherhood, fraternity, fellowship, association

2. a body of individuals living as members of a community; community.
3. the body of human beings generally, associated or viewed as members of a community:

   the evolution of human society.

4. a highly structured system of human organization for large-scale community living that normally furnishes protection, continuity, security, and a national identity for its members:

   American society.

5. such a system characterized by its dominant economic class or form:

   middle-class society;

   industrial society.

6. those with whom one has companionship.
7. companionship; company:

   to enjoy the society of good friends.

   Synonyms: fellowship

8. the social life of wealthy, prominent, or fashionable persons.
9. the social class that comprises such persons.
10. the condition of those living in companionship with others, or in a community, rather than in isolation.
11. Biology. a closely integrated group of social organisms of the same species exhibiting division of labor.
12. Ecclesiastical. ecclesiastical society.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of elegant society:

   a society photographer.

society

/ səˈsaɪətɪ /

noun

1. the totality of social relationships among organized groups of human beings or animals
2. a system of human organizations generating distinctive cultural patterns and institutions and usually providing protection, security, continuity, and a national identity for its members
3. such a system with reference to its mode of social and economic organization or its dominant class

   middle-class society

4. those with whom one has companionship
5. an organized group of people associated for some specific purpose or on account of some common interest

   a learned society

6. 1. the privileged class of people in a community, esp as considered superior or fashionable
   2. ( as modifier )

      a society woman

7. the social life and intercourse of such people

   to enter society as a debutante

8. companionship; the fact or state of being together with someone else

   I enjoy her society

9. ecology a small community of plants within a larger association

Other Word Forms

• so·cie·ty·less adjective
• inter·so·cie·ty adjective
• nonso·cie·ty noun plural nonsocieties
• subso·cie·ty noun plural subsocieties
• under·so·cie·ty noun plural undersocieties

Word History and Origins

Origin of society¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French societe, from Latin societās, equivalent to soci(us) “partner, comrade” + -etās, variant of -itās -ity ( def ) after a vowel

Word History and Origins

Origin of society¹

C16: via Old French societé from Latin societās, from socius a comrade

Idioms and Phrases

see under mutual admiration society .

Synonym Study

See circle.

Example Sentences

As nearly everyone knows, honeybees also live in complex intelligent societies and work tirelessly to complete their tasks — something many humans can identify with.

From Salon

Addressing the same subject, Gatwa told the Radio Times that their collaboration represented "progress, in terms of how we reflect the societies that we live in".

From BBC

This is a deeply concerning ruling for human rights and a huge blow to some of the most marginalised people in our society.

From BBC

“If we’re going for going to mobilize, it’s going to be the most prominent, the most well-endowed, the most privileged and protected of us in civil society who have to take the lead,” Levitsky said.

From Los Angeles Times

These days, society’s most dangerous villains don’t bother with cloaking themselves despite what the conspiracy-minded choose to believe.

From Salon

Related Words

• association
• civilization
• community
• company
• culture
• humanity
• nation
• population
• public
• world