social service

American  

noun

• social services
  plural

1. organized welfare efforts carried on under professional auspices by trained personnel.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• social-service
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• social services
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of social service

First recorded in 1850–55

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

social service

Authorities launched an investigation into Song shortly after he was discharged in 2024, when local media reported that he was frequently absent from his social service duties and took excessive sick leave.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

More information can also be provided by a county social service office.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026

There’s a concentration of social service agencies in the neighborhood, said Stefanie Keenan, a longtime neighborhood volunteer and activist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 27, 2026

He was speaking on behalf of the Sant'Egidio community, a movement of both lay people and clergy, committed to social service - and the priest was encouraging the students to embrace a pastoral mission.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2025

And some evenings I'd catch her and Ty'ree whispering about different doctors, their fees, and social service benefits.

From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson

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