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

Fenggang Yang, a professor of sociology and director of the Center on Religion and the Global East at Purdue University, partially agreed. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025

Advertisement Federico Varese, a professor of sociology at Sciences Po who has written extensively on mafias, estimates that the network of mafia members across the five families in New York City is now only made up of a few hundred individuals. —Time, 24 Oct. 2025

Marc Eaton, a professor of sociology at Ripon College remembers talking to a paranormal investigator who had recently lost his father. —Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025

Both sociology and education were down by 17 percent and 15 percent, respectively. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025

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

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archaeology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology

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