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 Con Cora Foundation, established to continue Karol G’s social work, focuses on supporting girls and women through education, well-being and broader social and economic programs. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 22 Mar. 2026

Chear’s social work practice class, which had a community service component, presented another dilemma. —Milla Surjadi, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026

Rachel Taparjan is a British Romanian filmmaker and academic in North East England, working as a senior lecturer in social work at Teesside University. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026

The Catholic women's school is adding more, with a bachelor's of social work launching in fall 2026. —Kelly Meyerhofer, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026

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