so·ci·e·ty /səˈsaɪəti/ ●●● S1 W1 noun (plural societies) 1 people in general 人的总称 [uncountableU]SOCIETY people in general, considered in relation to the laws, organizations etc that make it possible for them to live together 社会 technology and its effects on modern society 科技及其对现代社会的影响
Children are the most vulnerable members of society. 儿童是最脆弱的社会成员。
2 a particular group 某一群体 [countableC, uncountableU]SSSOCIETY a particular large group of people who share laws, organizations, customs etc 社会〔指有共同的法律、组织、习俗等的特定群体〕 Britain is now a multiracial society. 英国现在是一个多种族社会。
the capitalist societies of the West 西方资本主义社会
the conservative segment of American society 美国社会中的保守派
3 club 社团 [countableC]SSO an organization or club with members who share similar interests, aims etc 社团,协会 the university film society 大学电影协会
the American Cancer Society 美国癌症学会
society of the Society of Black Lawyers 黑人律师协会
► see thesaurus at organization 4 upper class 上层社会 [uncountableU]CLASS IN SOCIETY the fashionable group of people who are rich and powerful 上层社会,社交界 a society wedding 上层社会的婚礼
high society (=the richest, most fashionable etc people) 上流社会
5 being with people 与人交际 [uncountableU] formalSOCIALIZE when you are together with other people 交谊,交际,交往society of Holidays are a time to enjoy the society of your family. 假日是享受天伦之乐的时刻。
6 polite society middle- or upper-class people who behave correctly in social situations 上流社会in polite society (=among middle- or upper-class people) 在上流社会中 The subject was rarely mentioned in polite society. 这个话题在上流社会很少提起。
→ building society, friendly societyn COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: a particular large group of people who share laws, organizations, customs etcadjectivesa free societyCensorship has no place in a free society.
a civilized societyA 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 societyWe live in a multicultural society.
a democratic societyEducation is important in a democratic society.
an advanced/modern societyThe 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 societyIn complex industrial societies, different groups specialize in particular activities.
a primitive societyIn almost all primitive societies, volcanoes have been regarded with fear.
a just societyWe 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 societyAs 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.