social work

noun

: any of various professional activities or methods concretely concerned with providing social services and especially with the investigation, treatment, and material aid of the economically, physically, mentally, or socially disadvantaged

social worker noun

Examples of social work in a Sentence

She is doing social work.

He has a job in social work.

Recent Examples on the Web

Its incumbent, Tony Thurmond, had a background in social work before running for various offices, but that kind of experience isn’t always the case. — Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Basketball standout Kinu Rochford, who was fatally shot during a Harlem neighborhood tournament, had a lengthy hoops career overseas before returning home to Brooklyn three years ago to pursue a career in social work. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026

The national trend matches what our interdisciplinary team – spanning psychology, social work and gender studies – has documented over a decade. — Ann M. Merriwether, The Conversation, 7 July 2026

Master of social work students are required to complete hundreds of hours of field education in community agencies, schools, hospitals and behavioral health programs. — Luis Contreras, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social work

• bodywork
• handiwork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• overwork
• paperwork
• subnetwork
• telework

Kids Definition

social work

noun

: any of various professional activities or methods concerned especially with providing services (as counseling, job training, or financial assistance) designed to promote social well-being (as of the economically disadvantaged)

social worker noun

Medical Definition

social work

noun

: any of various professional services, activities, or methods concretely concerned with the investigation, treatment, and material aid of the economically, physically, mentally, or socially disadvantaged