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

In some cases, officials also request a vulnerability certificate, which can be issued by social service agencies to verify the difficult circumstances the person is experiencing, such as difficulty accessing employment or housing, among other issues. —Marta Campabadal Graus, NBC news, 30 May 2026

Behavioral health, community, and street outreach responders could support those requiring mediation and social services. —Reeti Malhotra may 29, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026

Santa Clara County is responsible for providing social services, including behavioral health care, substance-use treatment, and ongoing case management. —Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

And 42 human trafficking survivors were referred to healthcare and social services organizations. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social service

• interservice
• disservice
• preservice
• nervous
• nervus