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
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 Tori Otten 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
Ellie Wolfe Examples of social service in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those are some of the reasons that Kelly LiVigni, social services program manager, wants people to know about in an effort to keep the music event going.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The program provides youths from third grade to high school with free after-school dance classes, as well as academic support and social services.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
On his first day in Algeria, Leo was paying homage to the 19 martyrs and visiting the remaining Augustinian nuns who run a social services project out of the Algiers basilica that helps people of all faiths.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
The inquiry, which heard evidence over nine weeks, was set up to examine how the teenager, who was known to multiple public agencies — including police, social services, education, and health care — was able to carry out the attack.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for social service
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Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The program provides youths from third grade to high school with free after-school dance classes, as well as academic support and social services.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
On his first day in Algeria, Leo was paying homage to the 19 martyrs and visiting the remaining Augustinian nuns who run a social services project out of the Algiers basilica that helps people of all faiths.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
The inquiry, which heard evidence over nine weeks, was set up to examine how the teenager, who was known to multiple public agencies — including police, social services, education, and health care — was able to carry out the attack.
—Inaya Folarin Iman, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for social service
Cite this Entry
“Social service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20service. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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