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

To describe this dystopian reality, Clapp assembles a narrative that is part history, part sociology, part horrifying travelogue. —Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025

After studying sociology in graduate school, Zamora moved back in with her 82-year-old mother, an immigrant from Mexico, who is retired from her job at a factory. —Daisy Verduzco Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025

Jonathan Metzl, a professor of sociology and psychiatry at Vanderbilt University, noted the starkly contrasting reactions to the halftime show featuring rap star Kendrick Lamar, many of them colorfully expressed on social media. —Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025

Our work ties together several threads of evidence from psychology and sociology: men’s struggles to build socially supportive networks, women’s outsized role in sustaining men’s social support systems and inequality in the work that men and women perform in their private lives. —Angelica Puzio Ferrara, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 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