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
Noun
Grandin has been a pioneer in improving the welfare of farm animals as well as an outspoken advocate for the autism community. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Nov. 2023 Documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman has filmed a lot of things — dismissive budget negotiations among UC Berkeley administrators, dead end conversations inside a New York welfare center, a live capuchin monkey being decapitated by scientists. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 22 Nov. 2023 The Mississippi welfare scandal has far-reaching repercussions that have extended past the state level. Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 9 Nov. 2023 The outlet further reports that Reeves had a meeting in 2019 with John Davis, the former director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, who has since pleaded guilty to federal and state charges in relation to the welfare scandal. Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 8 Nov. 2023 For his part, Presley has talked up his blue-collar background and values while trying to ding Reeves by connecting the governor to the welfare scandal. Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2023 Police conducted a welfare check of Chyna’s one-bedroom apartment in Southwest Washington, but there were no signs of Crawford’s daughter or anything out of the ordinary. Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2023 In September, the Army Reserve requested a health and welfare check for Card, after a reserve soldier expressed concern that Card was going to commit a mass shooting, according to documents from the sheriff's office. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2023 Fans concerned about the welfare of Frank Ocean’s leg — a last-minute injury that reportedly derailed his headlining Coachella spot earlier this year — can officially breathe a sigh of relief. Vulture, 9 Nov. 2023
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 Layers of state bureaucracy, outdated computer systems, and, in some states, anti-welfare attitudes kept timely help out of the reach of many. Tracey Lindeman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2020 Even overtly welfare-ish Medicaid payments—originally intended to provide care for poor children—now go largely to long-term care for mainly middle-class elderly. Eric B. Schnurer, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2017 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'welfare.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near welfare

Cite this Entry

“Welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welfare. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

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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