society

American  

[suh-sahy-i-tee] / səˈsaɪ ɪ ti /

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.

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adjective

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

   a society photographer.

society British  

/ 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

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society Idioms  

1. see under mutual admiration society.

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Related Words

See circle.

Other Word Forms

• intersociety adjective
• nonsociety noun
• societyless adjective
• subsociety noun
• undersociety noun

Etymology

Origin of society

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

Example Sentences

WHO says these drugs, sometime called skinny jabs, represent a new chapter in the gradual conceptual shift in how society approaches obesity, from a "lifestyle condition" to a complex, preventable, and treatable chronic disease.

From BBC

"We hope it won't take that long for society to recognize the link between excessive soybean oil consumption and negative health effects."

From Science Daily

Meanwhile, the leaders of civil society organizations appear ill-suited to resist such suppression of free speech and, in some cases, seem to embrace it.

From Salon

Across Europe, 5-15% of children live with asthma, a long-term condition that can affect day-to-day well-being, place a heavy strain on families, and carry significant costs for society.

From Science Daily

Japarov is seeking to end that cycle by boosting his control over politics and society.

From Barron's

Related Words

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