First Known Use: 1531
Dictionary
1society
noun so·ci·e·ty \sə-ˈsī-ə-tē\
: people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values
: the people of a particular country, area, time, etc., thought of especially as an organized community
: people who are fashionable and wealthy
plural so·ci·e·ties
Full Definition of SOCIETY
1
: companionship or association with one's fellows : friendly or intimate intercourse : company
2
: a voluntary association of individuals for common ends; especially : an organized group working together or periodically meeting because of common interests, beliefs, or profession
3
a : an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another b : a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests
4
a : a part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct : a social circle or a group of social circles having a clearly marked identity <literary society> b : a part of the community that sets itself apart as a leisure class and that regards itself as the arbiter of fashion and manners
5
a : a natural group of plants usually of a single species or habit within an association b : the progeny of a pair of insects when constituting a social unit (as a hive of bees); broadly : an interdependent system of organisms or biological units
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Origin of SOCIETY
Middle French societé, from Latin societat-, societas, from socius companion — more at social
Related to SOCIETY
- Synonyms
- board, brotherhood, chamber, club, college, congress, consortium, council, fellowship, fraternity, guild (also gild), institute, institution, league, order, organization, association, sodality
Other Sociology Terms
2society
adjective
Definition of SOCIETY
: of, relating to, or typical of fashionable society
First Known Use of SOCIETY
1693
SOCIETIES Defined for Kids
society
noun so·ci·ety \sə-ˈsī-ə-tē\
plural so·ci·et·ies
Definition of SOCIETY for Kids
1
: a community or group of people having common traditions, institutions, and interests <medieval society> <western society>
2
: all of the people of the world <Medical advances help society.>
3
: a group of persons with a common interest, belief, or purpose <historical societies>
4
: friendly association with others <He avoided the society of other painters.>
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