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.
González, embracing Correa’s economic legacy, pledged to renegotiate the Fund deal, reduce taxes, and expand social welfare programs. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025 Sources: Human Rights Watch, World Resources Institute In Sub-Saharan Africa, how women’s education influences family size Policymakers may use population projections for a variety of purposes, from planning social welfare programs to preparing for climate change. Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2025 Those are countries that have very strong social welfare systems. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2025 But officials indicated to the AP that social welfare staff will be on hand to help with such cases. Time, 31 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Social welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20welfare. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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

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