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society

Syllabification: (so·ci·e·ty)
Pronunciation: /səˈsīətē/

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Definition of society

noun (plural societies)

  • 1the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community:drugs, crime, and other dangers to society
  • the community of people living in a particular country or region and having shared customs, laws, and organizations:the high incidence of violence in American society modern industrial societies
  • [with adjective] a specified section of a community:no one in polite society uttered the word
  • (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
  • a plant or animal community.
  • 2an organization or club formed for a particular purpose or activity: [in names]:the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • 3the situation of being in the company of other people:she shunned the society of others

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'companionship, friendly association with others'): from French société, from Latin societas, from socius 'companion'

society in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of society in the British & World English dictionary
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