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social work
noun
: any of various professional activities or methods concretely concerned with providing social services and especially with the investigation, treatment, and material aid of the economically, physically, mentally, or socially disadvantaged
social worker
noun
Examples of social work in a Sentence
She is doing social work.
He has a job in social work.
Recent Examples on the Web
Degrees earned range from engineering, computer science, medicine and psychology to accounting, business management and social work.
—Lisa Vernon Sparks, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2024
While living abroad, Leopold earned a master’s degree in social work; married a former secretary; conducted medical research; and revisited his interest in ornithology, even publishing a book on the region’s birds.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2024
Among them was Carmen Guidi, who had no background in homeless outreach, social work or community service.
—Photographs Todd Heisler, New York Times, 19 May 2024
About 100 emergency workers from multiple departments, including emergency, radiology, language services, social work and members of the Red Cross participated in the training.
—Nhat V. Meyer, The Mercury News, 16 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for social work
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'social work.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1847, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near social work
Cite this Entry
“Social work.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20work. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
social work
noun
: any of various professional activities or methods concerned especially with providing services (as counseling, job training, or financial assistance) designed to promote social well-being (as of the economically disadvantaged)
social worker
noun
Medical Definition
social work
noun
: any of various professional services, activities, or methods concretely concerned with the investigation, treatment, and material aid of the economically, physically, mentally, or socially disadvantaged
More from Merriam-Webster on social work
Nglish: Translation of social work for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about social work
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