sociology

noun

so·​ci·​ol·​o·​gy ˌsō-sē-ˈä-lə-jē  ˌsō-shē- 

1

: the science of society, social institutions, and social relationships

specifically : the systematic study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings

2

: the scientific analysis of a social institution as a functioning whole and as it relates to the rest of society

3

: synecology

sociologist

ˌsō-sē-ˈä-lə-jist  ˌsō-shē- 

noun

Examples of sociology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Johanna Vu, 22, credits the resources for first-generation and transfer students such as herself at UCLA as one major factor in helping her graduate in June with a bachelor’s in sociology and quickly get a job as a behavioral health provider. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Jenny Trinitapoli is a professor of sociology and master of the Social Sciences Collegiate Division at the University of Chicago. — Jenny Trinitapoli, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026

And talent with a liberal arts education—reading- and writing-heavy disciplines spanning humanities, natural sciences, sociology, and the arts—will have the most well-rounded skill set to thrive. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Argentina has some very good universities for psychology and sociology. — Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French sociologie, from socio- + -logie -logy

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sociology

• industrial sociology

Rhymes for sociology

• anthology
• apology
• astrology
• biology
• christology
• chronology
• conchology
• cosmology
• cryptology
• cytology
• doxology
• ecology

Kids Definition

sociology

noun

so·​ci·​ol·​o·​gy ˌsō-sē-ˈäl-ə-jē 

ˌsō-shē-

: the science of society, social institutions, and social relationships

Medical Definition

sociology

noun

so·​ci·​ol·​o·​gy ˌsō-sē-ˈäl-ə-jē  ˌsō-shē- 

plural sociologies

: the science of society, social institutions, and social relationships

specifically : the systematic study of the development, structure, interaction, and collective behavior of organized groups of human beings