Definition of social service
: an activity designed to promote social well-being
specifically
: organized philanthropic assistance (such as counseling, job training, or financial support)
It operates like a mall with specialty shops, treating students like customers, or the adult clients of a social service, rather than as young people in need of an education for a worthy life. — Joseph Featherstone 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
—often used before another noun social service agencies a social service project
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for social service
The first known use of social service was in 1761
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