an organized group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes.
a body of individuals living as members of a community; community.
the body of human beings generally, associated or viewed as members of a community: the evolution of human society.
a highly structured system of human organization for large-scale community living that normally furnishes protection, continuity, security, and a national identity for its members: American society.
such a system characterized by its dominant economic class or form: middle-class society; industrial society.
those with whom one has companionship.
companionship; company: to enjoy the society of good friends.
the social life of wealthy, prominent, or fashionable persons.
the social class that comprises such persons.
the condition of those living in companionship with others, or in a community, rather than in isolation.
Biology. a closely integrated group of social organisms of the same species exhibiting division of labor.
Ecclesiastical. ecclesiastical society.
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of elegant society: a society photographer.
Origin of society
1525–35; <Middle French societe<Latin societās, equivalent to soci(us) partner, comrade + -etās, variant of -itās--ity
social welfare, social work, societal, societal development, societal marketing, society, Society Islands, Society of Friends, Society of Jesus, society verse, Socinian
Half a century later, it is clear that this narrow, stockholder-centered view of corporations has cost society severely.
50 years later, Milton Friedman’s shareholder doctrine is dead|jakemeth|September 13, 2020|Fortune
Brazil’s Civil Rights Framework was society’s response to similar attempts by the government to censor the internet.
Brazil’s “fake news” bill won’t solve its misinformation problem|Amy Nordrum|September 10, 2020|MIT Technology Review
The goal is to create a society that treats everyone equally, and that gives everyone, including the most vulnerable members of our society, a fighting chance to succeed.
Ritchie Torres, set to be first out Afro-Latino in Congress, seeks big changes amid COVID|Chris Johnson|September 9, 2020|Washington Blade
I think the most important thing is to consider what is good for the overall community, and we all want the overall society to recover as soon as possible.
Hong Kong’s citywide COVID-19 testing has become a barometer of public trust|eamonbarrett|September 9, 2020|Fortune
We have gotten away from our source and this has caused our societies to be imbalanced.
Lafalaise Dion Takes ESSENCE On A Personal Journey|Nandi Howard|September 4, 2020|Essence.com
“The institution of marraige [sic] is under attack in our society and it needs to be strengthened,” Bush wrote.
Jeb Bush’s Unseen Anti-Gay Marriage Emails|Jackie Kucinich|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The sickness in her mind was a reflection of the sickness of her life, a sickness created by her family and her society.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The brother of a girl who made her debut in New Orleans society was shaking his fists in excitement.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Your letter highlights so many of the harsh realities trans people face, specifically in regard to how society rejects us.
Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen|Parker Molloy|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Society itself must be changed, right out from under our hopeless cases.
No Gods, No Cops, No Masters|James Poulos|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This condition of things probably affects politics and society more than the thoughtless suppose.
Lost Leaders|Andrew Lang
These conservatives are not without value, but they can only exist in a fixed state of society.
The Puddleford Papers,|H. H. Riley
They are to be admitted to the society of Captain Wharton, who waits only for their testimony to be tried.
The Spy|J. Fenimore Cooper
But these conditions, as I have shown, produce a conscience, the representative of society in the consciousness of the individual.
Morals and the Evolution of Man|Max Simon Nordau
Caroline and Beatrix had no lack of society, seated in their saddles outside.
Abington Abbey|Archibald Marshall
British Dictionary definitions for society
society
/ (səˈsaɪətɪ) /
nounplural-ties
the totality of social relationships among organized groups of human beings or animals
a system of human organizations generating distinctive cultural patterns and institutions and usually providing protection, security, continuity, and a national identity for its members
such a system with reference to its mode of social and economic organization or its dominant classmiddle-class society
those with whom one has companionship
an organized group of people associated for some specific purpose or on account of some common interesta learned society
the privileged class of people in a community, esp as considered superior or fashionable
(as modifier)a society woman
the social life and intercourse of such peopleto enter society as a debutante
companionship; the fact or state of being together with someone elseI enjoy her society
ecologya small community of plants within a larger association
Word Origin for society
C16: via Old French societé from Latin societās, from socius a comrade