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

Their fragile happiness is threatened, however, when social services move to take Carlotta away, forcing Armony to confront a difficult journey to fight for legal custody. — Ed Meza, Variety, 23 July 2026

The Antelope Valley mom of Athena Johannesmeyer, 5, balances motherhood and her social services career with running clubs and races — all while managing chronic illness. — Lynda Lin Grigsby, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Those with humanitarian statuses such as refugees and people granted asylum are no longer eligible, with the state department of social services estimating that 72,000 Californians will lose their benefits. — Lizzie Kane july 11, Sacbee.com, 11 July 2026

The impact could extend beyond traditional services and affect important community programs, including mental health resources, after-school programs, homelessness initiatives, and other social services that support our most vulnerable residents. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social service

• interservice
• disservice
• preservice
• nervous
• nervus