society
/səˈsʌɪɪti
/noun (plural societies)
1 [mass noun] The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community: drugs, crime, and other dangers to society...
- The onus is on government, institutions and society to work together for a just and equitable social order.
- An economy isn't just about money but about people and how they relate to each other and the sort of society that they build together.
- Without a fully realised concept of personal responsibility, society cannot be ordered in a fair way.
Synonyms
the community, the public, the general public, the people, the population;
civilization, the world at large, humankind, mankind, humanity
1.1The community of people living in a particular country or region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations: the ethnic diversity of British society [count noun]: modern industrial societies...
- This is one of Morrison's constant themes, the importance of class as well as race and gender in American society.
- Archer is thankful that his future wife knows and follows the manners and customs of New York society.
- In traditional Aboriginal society, goods were shared, but in a highly structured and ritualistic way.
Synonyms
culture, group, community, civilization, nation, population
1.2 [with adjective] A specified section of society: no one in polite society uttered the word...
- After all they are reflecting the ambitions of the more powerful sections of local society.
- It is clear that this policy prejudices the poorest sections of rural society and will lead to greater inequality.
- In the parlors of polite society, social tolerance sits side by side with multiculturalism.
1.3 (also high society) The aggregate of people who are fashionable, wealthy, and influential, regarded as forming a distinct group in a community: [as modifier]: a society wedding...
- Gradually courtesans became passé and geisha rose in status to become glittering and fashionable society women.
- At the London, Merrick became a celebrity, an object of curiosity, visited by fashionable society women and royalty.
- John photographed many society weddings and advertised by putting his work in a glass showcase outside the studio.
Synonyms
polite society, high society, the aristocracy, the gentry, the nobility, the upper classes, the elite, the privileged classes, the county set;
the smart set, the fashionable, the A-list, the wealthy, the beautiful people, the crème de la crème, the beau monde, the haut monde
informal the upper crust, the top drawer, the jet set
British informal nobs, toffs
informal, dated swells
1.4 [count noun] A plant or animal community: the analogy between insect society and human city is not new...
- Animal societies are characterized by cooperation as well as conflict.
- Kin recognition serves as the foundation of advanced social systems in a wide variety of other animal societies.
- Such top-down control over reproduction is a common feature of cooperative animal societies.
2An organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity: [in names]: the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds...
- Young people should get a greater say in how clubs and societies are run, and should have the option of more meaningful activities.
- The student society's external relations officer said he is looking forward to working with the group.
- Many met together regularly for Bible teaching, prayer and mutual spiritual help in the newly organised religious societies.
Synonyms
association, club, group, band, circle, fellowship, body, guild, college, lodge, order, fraternity, confraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood, sorority, league, federation, union, alliance, affiliation, institution, coterie
rare sodality
3 [mass noun] The situation of being in the company of other people: she shunned the society of others...
- Women who had children born out of wedlock were shunned in Irish society while men were often be given the benefit of the doubt.
- The mental health charity Turning Point and homeless charities were astonished by her ease with people shunned by society.
- Ben is a genetic throwback to Neanderthal man, shunned by family and society for his stupidity and ugliness.
Synonyms
company, companionship, fellowship, friendship, comradeship, camaraderie, social intercourse
Origin
Mid 16th century (in the sense 'companionship, friendly association with others'): from French société, from Latin societas, from socius 'companion'.