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

Elizabeth Aranda is professor of sociology and director of the Im/migrant Well-Being Research Center at the University of South Florida. —Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

The first Women’s Marches helped engage many of their participants politically, and that mobilization didn’t end after the marches concluded, said David S. Meyer, professor of sociology at the University of California at Irvine. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

Or find a tenured teaching position in the U.S. that will support my pedagogy within sociology and our global climate crisis. —Roberto Rivera, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025

Manoj Misra, an associate professor of sociology at Western Connecticut State University, said the government has a responsibility to students. —Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 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

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