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

His elder brother, Adam, who was class president, would go on to become a sociology professor at Columbia. —Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 2 June 2025

Wonder supports our mental, physical, and emotional well-being, according to research out of the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, a research center focused on the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being. —Deborah Farmer Kris, CNN Money, 27 May 2025

Board members currently must have five years of experience in corrections, law enforcement, law, education, sociology, social work, medicine, psychology or other behavioral sciences. —Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025

Likewise, students studying history, sociology, or philosophy would benefit from using AI to identify sources, wade through vast amounts of archival materials, or transpose data from one format to another. —Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 13 May 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