sällskapet

Sällskapet is a Swedish term meaning "the society" or "the association." In everyday Swedish, sällskap refers to companionship or company; sällskapet is the definite form used to point to a particular society or to a group that uses the term as its name. The phrase is commonly used in the names of clubs, literary circles, scientific or charitable organizations, and in historical contexts to denote learned societies.

Historically, many sällskap were founded in Sweden and Finland during the 18th through 20th centuries as part of Enlightenment-era or later civic culture. They often pursued aims such as the advancement of science, literature, engineering, or philanthropy, organized regular meetings, hosted speakers, published journals or proceedings, and funded initiatives. Governance typically followed written statutes and included an elected board or council, with membership either by invitation, application, or subscription. Some sällskap held royal or municipal charters and played roles in education and public life.

In contemporary use, sällskapet can simply refer to a generic society or appear in the official name of a local club or organization. The term emphasizes social or intellectual fellowship, and its specific activities vary by group. Etymologically, sällskap derives from meanings of companionship and social gathering, and the definite form sällskapet marks a referenced or named entity. See also entries on disambiguation or on specific organizations bearing the name Sällskapet in different regions.