social service
noun
plural social services
: a program or effort designed to promote human or societal well-being
specifically
: organized help for people who are in need of assistance with basic needs (such as food, housing, safety, or job training) or with medical needs (such as addiction or mental illness)
—usually plural
Most states are struggling with skimpy resources and a system of uncoordinated social services that is totally inadequate to serve a population of individuals whose needs are bottomless. —
Constance Holden
Constance Holden … attacked the idea of social services, claiming that the only entity entitled to provide care is the church, not the government. —Tori Otten
—often used before another noun Tori Otten social service agencies
Until the bridge's closure, the island hosted and supported social service programs including homeless shelters and an addiction recovery campus. —Ellie Wolfe
Ellie Wolfe Examples of social service in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Miami-Dade’s county government also expects to spend about $110 million in property taxes on charity grants, elder care, case workers for juvenile offenders and other social services.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
The cuts threaten local public health, education, research, and social services.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
The center provides intense therapy and social services as well as a place to live and up to three meals a day for dozens of men who might otherwise have no housing.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Public sector employment — particularly in government, healthcare, and social services — has expanded steadily, yet this model does little to enhance long-term national competitiveness.
—Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for social service
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Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025
The cuts threaten local public health, education, research, and social services.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
The center provides intense therapy and social services as well as a place to live and up to three meals a day for dozens of men who might otherwise have no housing.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Public sector employment — particularly in government, healthcare, and social services — has expanded steadily, yet this model does little to enhance long-term national competitiveness.
—Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for social service
Cite this Entry
“Social service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20service. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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