social welfare

noun

: organized public or private social services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups
specifically : social work

Examples of social welfare in a Sentence

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.
Experts have long argued that spending on social welfare would make China’s economy more balanced and less vulnerable to the West. David Pierson, New York Times, 10 May 2025 The child allowance's ripple effects have helped alleviate poverty by connecting families with social welfare officers who provide support for issues like violence and other challenges. Your Impact With Unicef Contributor, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 As a nonprofit formed as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization under the tax code, the group does not have to reveal its donors and has not volunteered that information when asked. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025 Eventually, Kirchner’s social welfare policies resonated with Bergoglio. Almudena Calatrava and Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for social welfare

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of social welfare was in 1912

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Cite this Entry

“Social welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20welfare. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Medical Definition

social welfare

noun
social wel·​fare -ˈwel-ˌfa(ə)r, -ˌfe(ə)r How to pronounce social welfare (audio)
: organized public or private social services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups
specifically : social work

More from Merriam-Webster on social welfare

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