socioeconomic status

American  

[soh-see-oh-ek-uh-nom-ik stay-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

• socioeconomic statuses
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• socioeconomic statuses
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of socioeconomic status

First recorded in 1935–40

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

socioeconomic status

When we catch ourselves in these negative thought patterns, it’s important to remember that our socioeconomic status doesn’t define us.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

Other struggles students might be facing, such as body-image issues, food allergies or lower socioeconomic status come into play.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026

Four years later, researchers evaluated their socioeconomic status by looking at factors such as education level, occupation, and income.

From Science Daily ● May 6, 2026

However he said it could include gender, age, month and year of birth, socioeconomic status, lifestyle habits, and measures from biological samples.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026

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

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