welfare

1 of 2

noun

wel·​fare ˈwel-ˌfer How to pronounce welfare (audio)
1
: the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity
must look out for your own welfare
2
a
: aid in the form of money or necessities for those in need
b
: an agency or program through which such aid is distributed

welfare

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or concerned with welfare and especially with improvement of the welfare of disadvantaged social groups
welfare legislation
2
: receiving public welfare benefits
welfare families

Examples of welfare in a Sentence

Noun He wants to do away with welfare. I have your welfare at heart. The welfare of all the orphans was at stake. She donates to organizations concerned about animal welfare.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
This time around, opponents include immigration advocates who are worried about a lack of oversight at the facility, as well as the welfare of detainees being held in tents in Florida's notorious summer humidity and what forecasters predict will be another above-average hurricane season. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 1 July 2025 So, mental health, animal welfare, LGBTQ rights - our role was really to help make those passions actionable. Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Adjective
Moderate Democrats fear pro-welfare and anti-business labels. John Harwood, CNN, 19 Sep. 2021 Starting near the end of the last century, the rhetoric of business-minded reform increasingly cloaked the politics of deregulation, anti-welfare cutbacks, and austerity. Kyle Edward Williams, The New Republic, 9 Dec. 2020 See All Example Sentences for welfare

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from the phrase wel faren to fare well

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of welfare was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welfare. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

welfare

noun
wel·​fare
ˈwel-ˌfa(ə)r,
-ˌfe(ə)r
1
: the state of doing well especially in relation to happiness, well-being, or success
must look out for your own welfare
2
a
: aid in the form of money or necessities for people in need
b
: a program through which such aid is distributed
welfare adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on welfare

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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