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 individuals and their families

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

Each lever requires an accurate terminal calculation; each new joiner requires correct tax registration and social security enrollment. —Alex Daruty, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

The state says the DOJ has no purpose or basis to access the voter roll, which includes personal information like driver's license numbers, social security numbers and voter registration numbers. —CBS News, 10 June 2026

Lawmakers need to be sure to safeguard social security, the TIAA CEO wrote in the op-ed, but since social security alone is not enough to cover a person’s expenses in retirement, other steps must also be taken. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 30 May 2026

What about my social security check? —Kiara Adams may 30, Sacbee.com, 30 May 2026

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