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 individuals and their families

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

My social security contribution — that 38 euros a week — gives the entitlement. — Mariska Breland, STAT, 4 Nov. 2026

The budget also increases spending on defense and social security spending for the youth. — Lim Hui Jie,jenny Lee, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026

In France, student protests about the state of education last month evolved into wider demonstrations about the cost of living and social security. — Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 1 Nov. 2026

Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Finland’s former minister of social security, says the move aims to encourage parents of young children to enter the workforce and increase children’s participation in early childhood education. — Laina Gustafson, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for social security

• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• purity
• surety

Kids Definition

social security

noun

1

: the idea or system by which the public provides for the security of individuals and their families

2

capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

Legal Definition

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, often capitalized both Ss : 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

collects social security

see also Social Security Act, Social Security Administration