social security
noun
1
: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family
especially,
Social Security
: a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance
2
: money paid out through a social security program
began collecting social security
Examples of social security in a Sentence
She is living on social security.
He began collecting Social Security checks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Employment will decline, more retirees and fewer workers could make social security more onerous and will slow economic growth.
—
Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
These contain names, dates of birth, addresses, social security numbers, insurance information and protected health information (PHI).
—Tarun Eldho Alias, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Industrial Revolution gave rise to the right to a public education, a minimum wage, and social security.
—Chris Lehane, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2025
O’Neill’s brother convinced the couple to provide him with O’Neill’s checking account number and social security number by telling them that O’Neill was in line for an inheritance.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for social security
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Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
These contain names, dates of birth, addresses, social security numbers, insurance information and protected health information (PHI).
—Tarun Eldho Alias, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Industrial Revolution gave rise to the right to a public education, a minimum wage, and social security.
—Chris Lehane, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2025
O’Neill’s brother convinced the couple to provide him with O’Neill’s checking account number and social security number by telling them that O’Neill was in line for an inheritance.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for social security
Cite this Entry
“Social security.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20security. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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