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

… 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

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

Examples of social service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The unsettling truth is that nearly every robust source of middle-class jobs left in New York City—health care, social services, and education—is directly or indirectly subsidized by the same public dollars now under strain. —Michael Dresdale, Washington Post, 5 June 2026

The county is taking steps to address issues identified in social services, Bryant said, including investing in more staff. —Mary Ramsey updated June 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026

State social services officials project about 25,000 members of that group may not be able to find or maintain employment. —Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026

More information can also be provided by a county social service office. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social service

• interservice
• disservice
• preservice
• nervous
• nervus