society

society
so‧ci‧e‧ty S1 W1 /səˈsaɪəti, səˈsaɪɪti/ noun (plural societies)1.  PEOPLE IN GENERAL  [uncountable] people in general, considered in relation to the laws, organizations etc that make it possible for them to live together:
    technology and its effects on modern society
    Children are the most vulnerable members of society.
2.  A PARTICULAR GROUP  [uncountable and countable] a particular large group of people who share laws, organizations, customs etc:
    Britain is now a multiracial society.
    the capitalist societies of the West
    the conservative segment of American society
3.  CLUB  [countable] an organization or club with members who share similar interests, aims etc:
    the university film society
    the American Cancer Society
    society of
    the Society of Black Lawyers
4.  UPPER CLASS  [uncountable] the fashionable group of people who are rich and powerful:
    a society wedding
    high society (=the richest, most fashionable etc people)
5.  BEING WITH PEOPLE  [uncountable] formal when you are together with other people
    society of
    Holidays are a time to enjoy the society of your family.
6. polite society middle- or upper-class people who behave correctly in social situations
    in polite society (=among middle- or upper-class people)
    The subject was rarely mentioned in polite society.
⇨ building society, friendly society
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 2)

■ adjectives
   ▪ a free society Censorship has no place in a free society.
   ▪ a civilized society A civilized society should treat its elderly members well.
   ▪ a civil society (=a society based on laws that everyone accepts) The protection of human rights is essential for a civil society.
   ▪ a multicultural/multiracial society We live in a multicultural society.
   ▪ a democratic society Education is important in a democratic society.
   ▪ an advanced/modern society The Greeks formed the first advanced societies in the West. | This kind of hatred and violence have no place in a modern society like ours.
   ▪ an industrial society In complex industrial societies, different groups specialize in particular activities.
   ▪ a primitive society In almost all primitive societies, volcanoes have been regarded with fear.
   ▪ a just society We are making progress towards a just society.
   ▪ a classless society (=one in which people are not divided into different social classes) the Prime Minister’s vision of a classless society
   ▪ a capitalist society As consumers in a capitalist society, we can press companies to behave responsibly.
   ▪ the larger/wider society (=used when comparing a small group of people to society as a whole) The poor are part of the larger society, and programs must be there to help them.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ organization a group of people, companies, or countries, which is set up for a particular purpose: Greenpeace is an international organization that protects the environment. | the World Health Organization
   ▪ institution a large important organization such as a bank, church, or university: The University is an important academic institution. | financial institutions such as banks
   ▪ association an organization for people in a particular profession, sport, or activity, which officially represents its members – often used in names: I met a representative of the National Association of Teachers. | the Football Association
   ▪ party an organization of people with the same political aims which you can vote for in elections: Which political party do you support? | He voted for the Republican Party’s candidate.
   ▪ body an important group of people who make the rules and advise people about what should be allowed: the sport’s governing body | The government has set up an advisory body.
   ▪ club/society an organization for people who share an interest, for example a sport: We belong to a tennis club. | I joined the university film society.
   ▪ union an organization formed by workers in order to protect their rights: The union ordered its members out on strike.
   ▪ charity an organization which collects money to help people who are poor, sick etc and does not make any profit for itself: She has raised a lot of money for local charities.
   ▪ quango British English disapproving an organization set up by the government, which has official power but whose members have not been elected: the amount of money that is wasted on government quangos