welfare state

noun

1

: a social system based on the assumption by a political state of primary responsibility for the individual and social welfare of its citizens

2

: a nation or state characterized by the operation of the welfare state system

Example Sentences

supporters of the welfare state

Recent Examples on the Web

The Czechs wanted a more laissez-faire economy, and the Slovaks wanted more of a welfare state. —Kurt Andersen, The New Republic, 1 Dec. 2022

The Internal Revenue Service is now another turnstile of the welfare state. —The Editorial Board, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2022

Many Republican lawmakers elected in 2010 now support a bigger welfare state and more government intervention in the private economy and are increasingly hostile to free trade. —Allysia Finley, WSJ, 16 Dec. 2022

But historically the idea gained little traction in the United States, where faith in upward mobility held greater sway and racial divisions slowed the growth of the welfare state. —Jason Deparle, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Nov. 2022

But historically the idea gained little traction in the United States, where faith in upward mobility held greater sway and racial divisions slowed the growth of the welfare state. —Jason Deparle, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2022

Begun earlier this year with a wave of publicity, Compact brings together anti-liberals from the left and the right who favor a strong welfare state and anti-imperialism. —Jordan Michael Smith, The New Republic, 17 Oct. 2022

One canard about immigrants is that many come for the comforts of the welfare state. —The Editorial Board, WSJ, 13 Oct. 2022

Reagan decried a bloated welfare state, a militant tax-and-spending regime in Washington, and the blatant bribing of Americans with their own tax dollars for their votes. —Dan Crenshaw, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

welfare state

noun

: a social system in which the government takes on much of the responsibility for the individual and group welfare of its people