welfare

American  

[wel-fair] / ˈwɛlˌfɛər /

noun

1. the good fortune, health, happiness, prosperity, etc., of a person, group, or organization; well-being.

   to look after a child's welfare; the physical or moral welfare of society.

2. welfare work.

3. financial or other assistance to an individual or family from a city, state, or national government.

   Thousands of jobless people in this city would starve if it weren't for welfare.

4. (initial capital letter) a governmental agency that provides funds and aid to people in need, especially those unable to work.

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idioms

1. on welfare, receiving financial aid from the government or from a private organization because of hardship and need.

welfare British  

/ ˈwɛlˌfɛə /

noun

1. health, happiness, prosperity, and well-being in general

2. 1. financial and other assistance given to people in need

   2. ( as modifier )

      welfare services

3. Also called: welfare work.  plans or work to better the social or economic conditions of various underprivileged groups

4. informal the public agencies involved with giving such assistance

5. in receipt of financial aid from a government agency or other source

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welfare Cultural  

1. Government-provided support for those unable to support themselves. In the United States, it is undertaken by various federal, state, and local agencies under the auspices of different programs, the best known of which are Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and food stamps.

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Other Word Forms

• antiwelfare adjective

Etymology

Origin of welfare

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from phrase wel fare; equivalent to well ¹ + fare

Example Sentences

But with no sign of the 84-year-old, there growing concerns about her welfare and questions about how long the investigation will drag on.

From Los Angeles Times

Holyrood is now responsible for a much broader range of issues including health, housing, policing and prisons, as well as many aspects of transport, welfare and tax.

From BBC

The SPF also wants better psychological support for officers who routinely encounter traumatic situations, as a way of improving staff welfare and retention.

From BBC

The law requires the EPA to regulate pollutants if it determines they can “reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The 2009 “endangerment finding” says six greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• benefit
• health
• interest
• progress
• prosperity
• weal
• well-being