social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family

especially, Social Security : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

began collecting social security

Examples of social security in a Sentence

She is living on social security.

He began collecting Social Security checks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tricolor, a major subprime auto lender specializing in buyers without social security numbers or credit histories, is going out of business. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

Factors like insurance status, a patient’s residency, retirement income, investment income, social security and number of dependents also can impact financial assistance even if patients are within the qualifying FPL. —Megan Garnai, IndyStar, 10 Sep. 2025

Many note that with falling productivity and 11% of the workforce set to retire in the next 10 years, there are real concerns about how Germany will fund people’s social security. —Alex Ledsom, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025

When Gabriel gets his first paycheck, he’s mortified to see the tax and social security deductions. —Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for social security

• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• purity
• surety

Kids Definition

social security

noun

1

: the idea or system by which the public provides for the security of individuals and their families

2

capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

Legal Definition

social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family

especially, often capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

collects social security

see also Social Security Act, Social Security Administration