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 district plans to add four regular-sized classrooms, new student and staff restrooms, instruction and office space for social work, English language services and staff collaboration at Ranch View, a kindergarten through fifth grade building. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025

Rankin also serves as director of police social work for the Social Work Law Enforcement Project, where Gonzalez was among the first interns. —Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2025

Community health workers can advance their careers by moving into supervisory roles such as case managers or getting further training for careers such as nursing, social work or licensed counseling. —Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025

How did her social work experience prepare her for the president’s cabinet? —Sara Georgini, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Jan. 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