social welfare

noun

: organized public or private social services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups
specifically : social work

Examples of social welfare in a Sentence

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.
Facing difficult choices on security, pensions, and social welfare spending, few European voters seem willing to make the sacrifices economists say are necessary. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026 The movement has reached almost unprecedented proportions, with other sectors joining the students, demanding better learning conditions and fighting against the cost-of-living crisis, hike in fuel prices, and erosion of social welfare. — Alessia Armenise, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Oct. 2026 Without affordable medical care or social welfare, people die of tooth decay and childbirth and exposure to the cold come winter. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026 This is because opportunities to access social welfare, healthcare and other important social goods are often greater in wealthier economies. — J. Toby Reiner, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for social welfare

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of social welfare was in 1912

Rhymes for social welfare

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Browse Nearby Words

social weaverbird
social welfare
social whale
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Cite this Entry

“Social welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20welfare. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

social welfare

noun
social wel·​fare -ˈwel-ˌfa(ə)r, -ˌfe(ə)r How to pronounce social welfare (audio)
: organized public or private social services for the assistance of disadvantaged groups
specifically : social work

More from Merriam-Webster on social welfare

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about social welfare

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