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
- social service agencies
- a social service project
