social service

noun

plural social services

: a program or effort designed to promote human or societal well-being

specifically : organized help for people who are in need of assistance with basic needs (such as food, housing, safety, or job training) or with medical needs (such as addiction or mental illness)

—usually plural

Most states are struggling with skimpy resources and a system of uncoordinated social services that is totally inadequate to serve a population of individuals whose needs are bottomless.

—Constance Holden

… attacked the idea of social services, claiming that the only entity entitled to provide care is the church, not the government.

—Tori Otten

—often used before another noun

social service agencies

Until the bridge's closure, the island hosted and supported social service programs including homeless shelters and an addiction recovery campus.

—Ellie Wolfe

Examples of social service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While millions are excited about the latest efficiency gains from AI-assets, billions are deprived of clean water, nutritious food and basic social services like education and health care. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Likewise, the legal and social services sectors had an adoption rate of around 18% and negative unemployment rates over the past three years. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025

The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025

The conservator will have different levels of responsibility depending on the case — ranging from paying the bills to ensuring the conservatee’s pets get medical care, said Carlotta Royal, social services program manager for Santa Clara County. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social service

• interservice
• disservice
• preservice
• nervous
• nervus