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

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

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