social service
noun
plural social services
: a program or effort designed to promote human or societal well-being
specifically
: organized help for people who are in need of assistance with basic needs (such as food, housing, safety, or job training) or with medical needs (such as addiction or mental illness)
—usually plural
Most states are struggling with skimpy resources and a system of uncoordinated social services that is totally inadequate to serve a population of individuals whose needs are bottomless. —
Constance Holden
Constance Holden … attacked the idea of social services, claiming that the only entity entitled to provide care is the church, not the government. —Tori Otten
—often used before another noun Tori Otten social service agencies
Until the bridge's closure, the island hosted and supported social service programs including homeless shelters and an addiction recovery campus. —Ellie Wolfe
Ellie Wolfe Examples of social service in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The states in their lawsuit say the mass firings violated the federal law requiring agencies to give them advance notice of mass layoffs, and would lead to a spike in unemployment claims and demand for social services.
—Daniel Wiessner, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
April 8, 2025 9 AM PT As President Trump launches a crackdown on unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., a new survey finds that a majority of California voters support providing social services for all low-income residents in the state, regardless of immigration status.
—Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
According to officials, 11 of the 13 attendees of that meeting accepted social services for mental health, employment, and housing.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025
But the days of the entire tri-county area leeching off downtown’s social services are over.
—Chelsea Cantilli, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for social service
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Daniel Wiessner, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
April 8, 2025 9 AM PT As President Trump launches a crackdown on unauthorized immigrants in the U.S., a new survey finds that a majority of California voters support providing social services for all low-income residents in the state, regardless of immigration status.
—Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
According to officials, 11 of the 13 attendees of that meeting accepted social services for mental health, employment, and housing.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2025
But the days of the entire tri-county area leeching off downtown’s social services are over.
—Chelsea Cantilli, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for social service
Cite this Entry
“Social service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20service. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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