social work

noun

: any of various professional activities or methods concretely concerned with providing social services and especially with the investigation, treatment, and material aid of the economically, physically, mentally, or socially disadvantaged

social worker noun

Examples of social work in a Sentence

She is doing social work.

He has a job in social work.

Recent Examples on the Web

She had been offered a full-ride scholarship to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary as part of a dual-degree master’s program in divinity and social work. —Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025

Williams is in her second week of classes at the New Heights McCart Avenue location and hopes to study social work. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025

Nafees Alam is a professor in social work at Boise (Idaho) State University. —Nafees Alam, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025

Amber has since earned her master's in social work from Louisiana State University (LSU), per the family's Instagram. —Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social work

• bodywork
• handiwork
• ironwork
• latticework
• masterwork
• metalwork
• needlework
• openwork
• overwork
• paperwork
• subnetwork
• artwork

Kids Definition

social work

noun

: any of various professional activities or methods concerned especially with providing services (as counseling, job training, or financial assistance) designed to promote social well-being (as of the economically disadvantaged)

social worker noun

Medical Definition

social work

noun

: any of various professional services, activities, or methods concretely concerned with the investigation, treatment, and material aid of the economically, physically, mentally, or socially disadvantaged