society

1 of 2

noun

so·​ci·​e·​ty sə-ˈsī-ə-tē How to pronounce society (audio)
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

society

2 of 2

adjective

: 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
Noun
And, for those pop fans with a long memory, Kylie paid the ultimate tribute to Madonna and her supporters by wearing a shirt emblazoned with the icon’s name, continuing a mutual appreciation society that can be traced back decades. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 8 Mar. 2024 Many civil society groups have disbanded, and outspoken media outlets have shut down. Chris Lau, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 This extends beyond employees and customers to include civil society organizations, policymakers, activists, industry associations, and others. François Candelon, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 In any case, some way will have to be found to deal with the gangs and to reintegrate their members back into a peaceable society that includes jobs. Amy Wilentz, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024 Prejudice and animosity in society hinder op- portunities for trans women who, like everyone else, seek equal rights and opportunities. Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024 The collapse of the fiat money system and the accompanying welfare-warfare state also provide an opportunity for those of us who understand the truth to build a society based around the principles of liberty. Ron Paul, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2024 On this mind-altering trip, the women may have liaised with deities and divined their society’s future—unaware that the powder’s potency came from its main elemental component: the toxic metal mercury. Bridget Alex, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024 Basically, social impact looks to the corporation’s impact on society. Cicely Jones, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'society.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French societé, from Latin societat-, societas, from socius companion — more at social

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1693, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of society was circa 1513

Dictionary Entries Near society

Cite this Entry

“Society.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/society. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

society

1 of 2 noun
so·​ci·​ety
sə-ˈsī-ət-ē
plural societies
1
: the community life thought of as a system within which the individual lives
rural society
2
: people for the most part
the benefit of society
3
: an association of persons for some purpose
the school French society
4
: a part of a community thought of as a unit set apart by common interests or values
especially : the group or set of fashionable persons
5
: a system or group of living things that depend on each other and usually form a social unit (as a hive of bees)
6
: the state of being with other people
societal
-ət-ᵊl
adjective

society

2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or characteristic of fashionable society

Legal Definition

society

noun
so·​ci·​e·​ty sə-ˈsī-ə-tē How to pronounce society (audio)
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
societal adjective

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