social service

noun

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

Examples of social service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The police and fire departments, public works, parks and recreation, social services and the libraries all received increases. — Don Stacom, Courant Community, "Bristol Budget Rises By $2.6 Million, Taxes Climb 2.4 Percent," 22 May 2018 Structured day program, which includes nursing, social services and restorative therapies, such as physical, occupational, and speech, meals and transportation, in a warm, caring and secured environment. — Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Adult day centers offer caregivers a respite," 24 Apr. 2018 The Trump administration, encouraged by Israel, has expressed deep skepticism over the agency’s mission to provide education and social services to over 5 million Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. — Fadi Tawil, The Seattle Times, "UN schools for Palestinians defy funding cuts, open on time," 3 Sep. 2018 The states, all led by Democratic attorneys general, joined Washington, D.C., in filing the lawsuit in federal court in Seattle, arguing that they are being forced to shoulder increased child welfare, education, and social services costs. — The Christian Science Monitor, "Federal judge orders for separated families to be reunited within 30 days," 27 June 2018 If none of those is available, the judge said they must be freed from confinement and placed with a licensed program that provides education and social services. — Hamed Aleaziz, SFChronicle.com, "Analysis: Why Trump’s attempt to lengthen detentions for immigrant minors will likely fail," 20 June 2018 With more workers fully employed at higher wages, there’d be less demand for social services like food stamps. — Livia Gershon, Longreads, "More than Make-Work," 22 May 2018 Increased population density in those low-tax states will be used to justify increased spending on infrastructure, education and social services. — WSJ, "Migration of Blue Staters Is a Complex Thing," 29 Apr. 2018 The agency provides health care, education and social services to 5 million Palestinians across the Middle East. — Associated Press, Houston Chronicle, "After U.S. cuts, Palestinian refugee agency appeals for aid," 17 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'social service.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.