social welfare

noun

: organized public or private social services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups
specifically : social work

Examples of social welfare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The post-Fordist era saw deindustrialization in rich countries, the industrialization of many low- and middle-income countries, an erosion of social welfare and labor protections, and increasing inequality. Literary Hub, 28 May 2026 Indigenous and rural Bolivians who backed Paz's campaign promises to upend the status quo while protecting social welfare have called on him to step down. ABC News, 27 May 2026 This shift was also reflected in the language and coverage of Islam in right-wing media, which often portrayed Muslims as invaders wanting to impose Sharia law and as a drain on social welfare. Anisah Bagasra, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026 Expanding pension generosity will force painful trade-offs — between school funding, social welfare, public safety, and pension obligations. Daniel Disalvo, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for social welfare

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of social welfare was in 1912

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Cite this Entry

“Social welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20welfare. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

Medical Definition

social welfare

noun
social wel·​fare -ˈwel-ˌfa(ə)r, -ˌfe(ə)r How to pronounce social welfare (audio)
: organized public or private social services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups
specifically : social work

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