social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of individuals and their families

especially, Social Security : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

began collecting social security

Examples of social security in a Sentence

She is living on social security.

He began collecting Social Security checks.

Recent Examples on the Web

More than one-third received no social security benefits, and 65 percent reported earning less than the legal minimum wage when factoring in skill level and overtime. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 24 July 2026

Per the documents, the exes similarly waived legal counsel regarding tax advice, real estate advice and social security matters. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

The filing was made at the behest of a creditor, according to German news platform NDR, identified as the Minjob-Zentrale, the government agency in charge of registering the country’s part-time jobs and collecting social security contributions. — News Desk, Artforum, 16 July 2026

The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition said the young man who was killed was authorized to work in the US and had a social security number. — Caroll Alvarado, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for social security

• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• purity
• surety

Kids Definition

social security

noun

1

: the idea or system by which the public provides for the security of individuals and their families

2

capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

Legal Definition

social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family

especially, often capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

collects social security

see also Social Security Act, Social Security Administration