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
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
Synonyms
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
Jennifer Brookland, Detroit Free Press, 22 Apr. 2024
Even while the number of referrals or arrests may decrease, children of color are still affected at higher rates in many systems, from the child welfare system, to school discipline, or contact with law enforcement.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2024
The constable’s office alleged Williams returned home on the night of April 10 and was arrested the following day when officers returned to the apartment to follow up on the child welfare call.
—Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Well-functioning democratic institutions, generous welfare services All of these countries have well-functioning democratic institutions and relatively generous welfare services.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Others, like Massachusetts, have legislation pending that would shield mothers who are taking prescribed medications to treat substance use disorder from child welfare investigations.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Twelve low-income Black mothers who the District’s child welfare agency has accused of neglecting their children will soon receive $500 a month as part of a study exploring whether extra income can help improve families’ lives such that the government need not take their children.
—Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Monday, Zionsville police officers were called about 11:30 a.m. to the 5300 block of West Old 106th Street to conduct a welfare check on a woman.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Gilbert police were investigating two bodies found inside a home after a welfare check on Sunday.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
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
Noun
The department says 100% of the funds are being used to reimburse the state for the cost of caring for kids in the child welfare system.
—Jennifer Brookland, Detroit Free Press, 22 Apr. 2024
Even while the number of referrals or arrests may decrease, children of color are still affected at higher rates in many systems, from the child welfare system, to school discipline, or contact with law enforcement.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2024
The constable’s office alleged Williams returned home on the night of April 10 and was arrested the following day when officers returned to the apartment to follow up on the child welfare call.
—Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024
Well-functioning democratic institutions, generous welfare services All of these countries have well-functioning democratic institutions and relatively generous welfare services.
—Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Others, like Massachusetts, have legislation pending that would shield mothers who are taking prescribed medications to treat substance use disorder from child welfare investigations.
—Mira Cheng, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024
Twelve low-income Black mothers who the District’s child welfare agency has accused of neglecting their children will soon receive $500 a month as part of a study exploring whether extra income can help improve families’ lives such that the government need not take their children.
—Ellie Silverman, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
Monday, Zionsville police officers were called about 11:30 a.m. to the 5300 block of West Old 106th Street to conduct a welfare check on a woman.
—Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
Gilbert police were investigating two bodies found inside a home after a welfare check on Sunday.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr., The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near welfare
Cite this Entry
“Welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welfare. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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