sociology

[ soh-see-ol-uh-jee, soh-shee- ]
/ ˌsoʊ siˈɒl ə dʒi, ˌsoʊ ʃi- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR sociology ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the science or study of the origin, development, organization, and functioning of human society; the science of the fundamental laws of social relations, institutions, etc.

Origin of sociology

From the French word sociologie, dating back to 1835–45. See socio-, -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM sociology

so·ci·ol·o·gist, noun

Words nearby sociology

sociolinguistics, sociological, sociologism, sociologistic, sociologize, sociology, sociometry, sociopath, sociopathy, sociopolitical, sociopsychological

Words related to sociology

folklore, geography, government, history, civics

Example sentences from the Web for sociology

British Dictionary definitions for sociology

sociology
/ (ˌsəʊsɪˈɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

the study of the development, organization, functioning, and classification of human societies

Derived forms of sociology

sociological (ˌsəʊsɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjective sociologically, adverb sociologist, noun

Scientific definitions for sociology

sociology
[ sō′sē-ŏl′ə-jē ]

The scientific study of human social behavior and its origins, development, organizations, and institutions.

Cultural definitions for sociology

sociology

The systematic study of human society, especially present-day societies. Sociologists study the organization, institutions, and development of societies, with a particular interest in identifying causes of the changing relationships among individuals and groups. (See social science.)