also: せいたい
state of society; social conditions
A somewhat formal or literary term for the overall condition or trends of society. Often used in discussions of social issues or historical context.
It's a novel that reflects the social conditions of that time.
Along with changes in the state of society, people's values also changed.
contemporary customs and human nature; the ways of the world and people's lives
Standard kanji form. The reading せいたい is also valid but less common.
Alternate reading; せたい is more common.
Compound of 世 (world, society) and 態 (condition, state). The reading せたい is the standard on'yomi, while せいたい is a less common variant.