so·ci·e·ty
sə-ˈsī-ə-tē 
plural societies
1
: companionship or association with one's fellows : friendly or intimate intercourse : company
2
: a voluntary association of individuals for common ends
especially
: an organized group working together or periodically meeting because of common interests, beliefs, or profession
3
a
: an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another
b
: a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests
4
a
: a part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct : a social circle or a group of social circles having a clearly marked identity
literary society
b
: a part of the community that sets itself apart as a leisure class and that regards itself as the arbiter of fashion and manners
5
a
: a natural group of plants usually of a single species or habit within an association
b
: the progeny of a pair of insects when constituting a social unit (such as a hive of bees)
broadly
: an interdependent system of organisms or biological units
: of, relating to, or typical of fashionable society
Examples of society in a Sentence
Noun
Poverty hurts society as a whole.
We need to do more to help the poorer members of our society.
the values of Western society
She was introduced to society at a formal reception.
The club's members are drawn from the ranks of high society.
Recent Examples on the Web
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 June 2025
The imperial family holds less sway over Japanese society than the average salaryman, who at least can vote in elections.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025
Frank Kameny, the society’s co-founder, organized the first picket line for gay rights in front of the White House.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
The two-part series explores the actions of Harkins, the attitudes of society and the legal system, and the dogged determination of a band of women who fought to get justice.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for society
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Noun
The film is set in the elite but real New York society of people searching for mates who truly have it all: the looks, the personality, the good taste, the height (that’s a major one), the better-than-mid-range six-figure income.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 June 2025
The imperial family holds less sway over Japanese society than the average salaryman, who at least can vote in elections.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025
Frank Kameny, the society’s co-founder, organized the first picket line for gay rights in front of the White House.
—Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 7 June 2025
The two-part series explores the actions of Harkins, the attitudes of society and the legal system, and the dogged determination of a band of women who fought to get justice.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for society
Cite this Entry
“Society.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/society. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
society
noun
so·ci·e·ty
sə-ˈsī-ə-tē
plural societies
1
: the benefits of love, care, affection, and companionship that family members receive from each other
sought damages for loss of society from his wife's wrongful death
compare consortium
2
: a voluntary association of individuals dedicated to common ends
a conservation society
3
: a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests
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