social media

American  

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. websites and other online means of communication that are used by large groups of people to share information and to develop social and professional contacts.

   Many businesses are utilizing social media to generate sales.

---

Etymology

Origin of social media

First recorded in 2000–05

Example Sentences

"People were saying: 'Well, kids are getting more anxious. There must be a reason -- let's ban social media'," argued one signatory, Axel Bruns, a digital media professor at Queensland University of Technology.

From Barron's • Dec. 1, 2025

"When those three players missed those penalties, the first thing I thought was 'let's see what happens on social media'," Ferdinand said.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2021

"Haha 'ditch social media' - can people keep their opinions to themselves please. Leave me alone. This is my last tweet for you Cashy," the world number 19 tweeted on Tuesday.

From Reuters • May 30, 2016

Really the book could be called ‘I hate four companies and social media’ – but that is a bad title.”

From The Guardian • May 16, 2016

‘We don’t let our kids use social media’ Richard Freed is a child and adolescent psychologist who lives in Walnut Creek with his wife and two daughters, aged eight and 12.

From The Guardian • Mar. 2, 2016

Related Words

• social platform