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

In May, the 21-year-old graduated early from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts in criminology and justice studies and a minor in sociology, the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) announced via press release. —Danielle Jennings, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024

When sanitation crews cleared the area last week, homeless advocate and UCLA sociology doctoral candidate Sam Lutzker was there as part of his work, documenting the lives of people living in vehicles in Council District 11. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2024

Others have been more of a grab bag, such as a 2004 master’s from Dartmouth, for which Bolger studied Iranian sociology and the poetry of Robert Frost. —Joseph Bernstein Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Devin Murphy, New York Times, 3 June 2024

All over the world, researchers like us are studying hate from disciplines like education, history, law, leadership, psychology, sociology and many others. —Yolanda Gallardo, Discover Magazine, 18 May 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