so·ci·e·ty
sə-ˈsī-ə-tē 
plural societies
1
: companionship or association with one's fellows : friendly or intimate intercourse : company
2
: a voluntary association of individuals for common ends
especially
: an organized group working together or periodically meeting because of common interests, beliefs, or profession
3
a
: an enduring and cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of relationships through interaction with one another
b
: a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests
4
a
: a part of a community that is a unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct : a social circle or a group of social circles having a clearly marked identity
literary society
b
: a part of the community that sets itself apart as a leisure class and that regards itself as the arbiter of fashion and manners
5
a
: a natural group of plants usually of a single species or habit within an association
b
: the progeny of a pair of insects when constituting a social unit (such as a hive of bees)
broadly
: an interdependent system of organisms or biological units
: of, relating to, or typical of fashionable society
Examples of society in a Sentence
Noun
Poverty hurts society as a whole.
We need to do more to help the poorer members of our society.
the values of Western society
She was introduced to society at a formal reception.
The club's members are drawn from the ranks of high society.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
In a day and age where there is divisiveness in certain pockets, what would the team say society can learn from them?
—Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
The high-society figure wore the sparkler to the Tiffany Ball on July 13, 1957.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 4 Jan. 2026
But as generative AI continues to seep into seemingly every facet of society, administrators and teachers are increasingly looking at creative ways to engage with the technology with an eye toward preparing students for the real world.
—Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for society
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Noun
Hopefully, Lou Gerstner’s significant leadership, highlighted at the time of his passing, will provide an opportunity to turn things around and meld the interests of business and society, in the best interests of both.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026
In a day and age where there is divisiveness in certain pockets, what would the team say society can learn from them?
—Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
The high-society figure wore the sparkler to the Tiffany Ball on July 13, 1957.
—Elle Meier, InStyle, 4 Jan. 2026
But as generative AI continues to seep into seemingly every facet of society, administrators and teachers are increasingly looking at creative ways to engage with the technology with an eye toward preparing students for the real world.
—Degen Pener, HollywoodReporter, 3 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for society
Cite this Entry
“Society.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/society. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
society
noun
so·ci·e·ty
sə-ˈsī-ə-tē
plural societies
1
: the benefits of love, care, affection, and companionship that family members receive from each other
sought damages for loss of society from his wife's wrongful death
compare consortium
2
: a voluntary association of individuals dedicated to common ends
a conservation society
3
: a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests
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