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
Of this, discretionary spending—which includes transportation, education, housing, social services programs, science outlays, and much more—represented just 26% of the total.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Local charities have a champion this year in Miami-Dade Commissioner Kionne McGhee, who recently proposed creating a new stream of government revenue to support nonprofits that use county money to help provide social services.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Reduced federal funding to cover the administrative costs of social services such as SNAP food aid and Medicare means the county likely will spend more in those areas.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
In a statement Tuesday, Matsui underlined her record fighting efforts to weaken health care access, clean air regulations and cuts to social services.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for social service
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Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
Local charities have a champion this year in Miami-Dade Commissioner Kionne McGhee, who recently proposed creating a new stream of government revenue to support nonprofits that use county money to help provide social services.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025
Reduced federal funding to cover the administrative costs of social services such as SNAP food aid and Medicare means the county likely will spend more in those areas.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
In a statement Tuesday, Matsui underlined her record fighting efforts to weaken health care access, clean air regulations and cuts to social services.
—Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 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 21 Sep. 2025.
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