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

Programs being excluded include many fields dominated by women like health care, counseling, and social work. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Behn attended the University of Texas at Austin, and then graduate school for social work. —Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Nov. 2025

In the two years since getting out of prison, Mack has begun pursuing a master’s in social work and is teaching arts in prisons, according to VF. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2025

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

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