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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Never share your bank information and social security number online without verifying who will be receiving your information and for what reason. Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025 Earlier in the summer the Department asked more than two dozen states to turn over their complete voter rolls, including party affiliation, social security numbers and addresses, to the federal government as part of its effort to check if noncitizens are voting. Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 18 Sep. 2025 Tricolor, a major subprime auto lender specializing in buyers without social security numbers or credit histories, is going out of business. Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025 Factors like insurance status, a patient’s residency, retirement income, investment income, social security and number of dependents also can impact financial assistance even if patients are within the qualifying FPL. Megan Garnai, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for social security

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of social security was in 1908

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Social security.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20security. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on social security

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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