social welfare

noun

: organized public or private social services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups
specifically : social work

Examples of social welfare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That disconnect is a problem in an environment of growing daily stressors, from rising federal law enforcement presence to social welfare cuts that prevent many from meeting basic needs. Literary Hub, 30 June 2026 They’ve been given temporary residency permits and support, including accommodation or help to get housing, social welfare benefits, medical care and access to schools. Lorne Cook, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 During these meetings, social welfare officers actively raise awareness about child protection and the right of teenage mothers to continue their education. Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 Officials also said Wesley is not affiliated with the university, but did graduate from Cal in 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in social welfare. Harry Harris, Mercury News, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for social welfare

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of social welfare was in 1912

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Cite this Entry

“Social welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20welfare. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

social welfare

noun
social wel·​fare -ˈwel-ˌfa(ə)r, -ˌfe(ə)r How to pronounce social welfare (audio)
: organized public or private social services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups
specifically : social work

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