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

Karampour trained at the École documentaire de Lussas following studies in sociology at EHESS and cinema at Sorbonne Nouvelle University. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026

But there are challenges to mitigation, says Jeremy Porter, a professor of sociology at the City University of New York. —Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026

My sociology research focuses on neighborhood and socioeconomic change in American cities. —Grigoris Argeros, The Conversation, 21 Apr. 2026

Decades of research across sociology and public health show that exclusion — whether driven by economic inequality, social marginalization, or barriers tied to race, class, or gender — contributes to psychological distress and substance use. —Dimitri Mugianis, STAT, 20 Apr. 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