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.

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of socioeconomic status

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Factors such as socioeconomic status and sex may influence how diet relates to mental health, making the relationship more complex.

From Science Daily • Mar. 29, 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

Research scientists developed and validated two composite measures -- neighborhood socioeconomic status and socioeconomic disadvantage -- using data from the U.S.

From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024

“It transcends party lines, it transcends socioeconomic status, it transcends racial diversity — all those things,” Wilson told Salon in a phone interview.

From Salon • Oct. 18, 2024

A high socioeconomic status is strongly correlated to higher test scores, which seems sensible.

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