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 sociology, demography and population studies funding, the top five schools were: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Pennsylvania State University/Hershey Medical Center; Harvard University; University of Michigan; and the University of Pennsylvania. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

Lyle Menendez earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UC Irvine this year and is now working on a masters degree in urban development. —Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Erik, 53, earned an associate degree in sociology, was accepted to the University of California and completed a Certificate in American Sign Language from Southwestern College in 2022. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

The research—part data science, part sociology, part journalism, part political analysis—has won plaudits from fellow misinformation researchers. —science.org, 30 Oct. 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