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

The biggest predictor of whether someone has friends of a different race is the diversity of their schools, said Grace Kao, a professor of sociology at Yale University who has studied interracial friendships. —Rachel Hatzipanagos, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024

Alex Barnard is an assistant professor of sociology at New York University. —Alex Barnard, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024

Nowhere in the country have foreign politics and foreign policy played as determinative a role, said Guillermo Grenier, a professor of sociology at Florida International University. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024

Her academic background in communications, complemented by sociology and women’s studies, enriches her fashion discourse. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 20 Mar. 2024

In 2021, Angel Adams Parham, a sociology professor at the University of Virginia, became the board chair of the Classic Learning Test, or CLT—an SAT alternative often taken by classical-school students and homeschoolers. —Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024

Jody Agius Vallejo, a USC sociology professor who studies immigration integration and Latino issues in Orange County, believes Mercado González‘s location in Costa Mesa was a smart move to expand their consumer base beyond the traditional Latino markets. —Sarah Mosqueda, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024

The son of two sociology professors, Tsushima grew unnerved by Willis Law’s untrammeled prowess in court. —Mya Frazier, Harper's Magazine, 26 Feb. 2024

Psychology and sociology majors could work with new immigrants. —Ryan Craig, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024

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

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