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
One judge blocked those actions and required that payments continue flowing to Minnesota and four other states -- California, Colorado, Illinois and New York -- for a variety of social service programs.
—Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
The amendment reflects concerns raised in recent years by advocates who argue that abrupt reductions in social service contracts can ripple through neighborhoods, particularly in fast-growing areas with limited nonprofit infrastructure.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
One judge blocked those actions and required that payments flowing to Minnesota and four other states — California, Colorado, Illinois and New York — for a variety of social service programs.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
One judge blocked those actions and required that payments continue flowing to Minnesota and four other states — California, Colorado, Illinois and New York — for a variety of social service programs.
—Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for social service
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Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
The amendment reflects concerns raised in recent years by advocates who argue that abrupt reductions in social service contracts can ripple through neighborhoods, particularly in fast-growing areas with limited nonprofit infrastructure.
—Chaya Tong, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
One judge blocked those actions and required that payments flowing to Minnesota and four other states — California, Colorado, Illinois and New York — for a variety of social service programs.
—Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
One judge blocked those actions and required that payments continue flowing to Minnesota and four other states — California, Colorado, Illinois and New York — for a variety of social service programs.
—Michelle L. Price, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
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 2 Mar. 2026.
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