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

The grant was meant to support 25 graduate students in social work to provide mental health services in four Connecticut school districts — Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury and Vernon. —Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 2 July 2025

Archways to Opportunity enabled Carter to complete college with associate and bachelor’s degrees in sociology at Cal State Fullerton and a master’s degree in social work, with a focus on social change and innovation, at the University of Southern California. —Ryan Stowers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

The creation of improv and of The Second City is rooted in social work. —Claudia Lauder, Christian Science Monitor, 23 June 2025

While working multiple jobs including at a fast-food restaurant to support her family, Ubaldo eventually won scholarships to study social work at university. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 5 June 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