social welfare
Americannoun
noun
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the various social services provided by a state for the benefit of its citizens
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(capitals) (in New Zealand) a government department concerned with pensions and benefits for the elderly, the sick, etc
Etymology
Origin of social welfare
First recorded in 1915–20
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I call this the social welfare state of two. We’ve privatized dependency within marriage.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026
He cited a range of problems beleaguering the EU, including internal trade barriers and expensive social welfare programs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
One of the grievances cited was that of Astor, the professor of social welfare, who describes himself as both a Zionist and a “pro-peace researcher.”
From Salon • Dec. 13, 2025
The top priorities are boosting domestic demand and supporting social welfare, while property market stabilization has slipped down the agenda.
From Barron's • Dec. 12, 2025
National dignitaries, social welfare workers, and government investigators descend on the leprosarium after reading A. H. Lacson’s articles.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
