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
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 Tori Otten 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
Ellie Wolfe Examples of social service in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In cities across Morocco, young people have taken to the streets for days demanding an end to corruption and better social services and employment opportunities.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Perone warned that with federal funding for social services shrinking, older adults’ needs are only going to keep growing, and without new support from governments or nonprofits, local resources may not be enough.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2025
Households may receive smaller payments if federal funding is not approved, said Mirabel Rodriguez, manager for Milwaukee County's Energy Assistance Program, which is run through Community Advocates, a social services nonprofit.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for social service
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Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 16 Oct. 2025
The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Perone warned that with federal funding for social services shrinking, older adults’ needs are only going to keep growing, and without new support from governments or nonprofits, local resources may not be enough.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2025
Households may receive smaller payments if federal funding is not approved, said Mirabel Rodriguez, manager for Milwaukee County's Energy Assistance Program, which is run through Community Advocates, a social services nonprofit.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for social service
Cite this Entry
“Social service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20service. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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