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 human behavior that guides corporate decisions and working conditions is the research focus of Hatim Rahman, professor of management and organizations and sociology at Northwestern University. —Aman Kidwai, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025

Today, there are whole fields of academia — in psychology and sociology departments, in business schools and institutions of public policy — that purport to anatomize the science of conversation, an endeavor that reminds me of an entomologist pinning a butterfly to a wall. —Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 25 Nov. 2025

Brooks studied journalism and sociology Brooks graduated from California State University, Long Beach in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in sociology. —Avalon Hester, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025

Moving from sociology to economics, Boasberg finds no evidence that Meta is now exploiting its market share in personal social networking to extract outsized revenues. —PC Magazine, 19 Nov. 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