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

Namely Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), health care, public health, education and social work. —Jeannette Wade, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

Under Zaspel, Children's has already trained 125 of its staff, including those who work in child adolescent psychiatry, pediatric emergency medicine, and medical social work. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 26 Nov. 2025

Left out are nursing, physical therapy, dental hygiene, occupational therapy and social work as well as fields outside of health care such as architecture, education, and accounting. —CNN Money, 25 Nov. 2025

Behn attended the University of Texas at Austin, and then graduate school for social work. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social work

• bodywork
• handiwork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• overwork
• paperwork
• subnetwork
• artwork

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