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

Callie Kinnan, 21, never planned to study fashion, but social work. —Kaio Cesar, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026

Ana graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in social work and got a job with Food for the Poor, an international Christian relief organization. —Steve Hartman, CBS News, 9 May 2026

Annelise Mennicke is a professor in the UNC Charlotte school of social work, whose research is focused on the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ individuals. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026

Learning about her aptitude for difficult conversations, a counselor directed her toward social work instead. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 1 May 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
• telework

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