the dole
noun
: money that a government (especially the British government) gives to people who do not have jobs or who are very poor
The government is changing the rules for receiving the dole.
Examples of the dole in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The city has been backsliding in its commitment to move people from the dole to work.
—
Stephen Eide, National Review, 3 May 2025
Once a welfare reform stalwart, New York under Mayor Eric Adams has been backsliding in its commitment to move people from the dole to work.
—Stephen Eide, National Review, 3 May 2025
But there’s more going on in this case beyond this particular freeloading foreign fiend trying to stay on the dole forever.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stephen Eide, National Review, 3 May 2025
Once a welfare reform stalwart, New York under Mayor Eric Adams has been backsliding in its commitment to move people from the dole to work.
—Stephen Eide, National Review, 3 May 2025
But there’s more going on in this case beyond this particular freeloading foreign fiend trying to stay on the dole forever.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“The dole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20dole. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share