société

Société is a term used in several Romance languages, most notably French, to designate either a human social system or a business organization. Etymologically from Latin societas, it conveys the idea of companionship, association, or partnership.

In sociology and anthropology, society refers to the organized network of individuals and institutions that share a common territory, culture, and history. It encompasses structures such as family, education, religion, law, economy, and politics, and it is shaped by norms, roles, values, and power relations. Sociologists study how social order emerges, how collective identities are formed, and how institutions adapt over time.

In business and law, société denotes a legal entity created to conduct commercial activities. In civil-law jurisdictions, common forms include the société anonyme (SA), société à responsabilité limitée (SARL), and société en nom collectif (SNC). These forms define ownership, liability, governance, and dissolution rules, and they require registration, compliance with corporate law, and filing of accounts. The term is often translated as "company" or "corporation" in English, depending on context.

Across languages, the meaning of société depends on context: a general word for society or a reference to a specific corporate entity. In global discourse, it features in discussions of social theory, corporate governance, and cross-border business.