socioeconomic status

American  

[soh-see-oh-ek-uh-nom-ik stey-tuhs, stat-uhs, ‐-ee-kuh‐, soh-shee-oh‐, soh‐] / ˈsoʊ si oʊˌɛk əˈnɒm ɪk ˈsteɪ təs, ˈstæt əs, ‐ˌi kə‐, ˈsoʊ ʃi oʊ‐, ˌsoʊ‐ /

noun

1. the position or standing of a person or group in a society as determined by a combination of social and economic factors that affect access to education and other resources crucial to an individual’s upward mobility: SES

   Low socioeconomic status is linked to many health risks, including cardiovascular disease.

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socioeconomic status Cultural  

1. An individual's or group's position within a hierarchical social structure. Socioeconomic status depends on a combination of variables, including occupation, education, income, wealth, and place of residence. Sociologists often use socioeconomic status as a means of predicting behavior.

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Etymology

Origin of socioeconomic status

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The dataset included information such as age, sex, medical diagnoses, medication use, and socioeconomic status.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

Participants completed questionnaires detailing their demographics, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle habits.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

Our family isn’t wealthy, and we were unconcerned with the socioeconomic status of other students on campus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025

According to its website, it’s a “nonjudgmental organization that champions mental well-being and aims to support people of every race, ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, and other backgrounds.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 1, 2025

Among the most interesting revelations in the data is the correlation between a baby’s name and the parents’ socioeconomic status.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt