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Which organization focuses on child welfare globally?

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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

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Etymology

Origin of welfare

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

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Explanation

Your welfare is your happiness and well being. Parents are usually in charge of their children's welfare, making sure they're healthy, happy and well fed. Welfare is a state of content or prosperous existence. So if something bad happens, your welfare is threatened. Welfare can also refer to a government system designed to give money, food, and resources to the poor. Welfare systems have been around since ancient Roman times, but the U.S. welfare program didn't start until the 1930's, during the Great Depression.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

welfare

Once the country's most popular amusement park, Marineland closed in 2024 after years of animal welfare concerns and financial woes, and following the death of its longtime owner.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

"A law that was justified as protecting children's welfare is putting precisely those children under pressure at school," the group said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

He said actors are taught welfare training and paramedics are also on site.

From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026

LIVERPOOL—Catherine Wieland got on Britain’s welfare rolls in 2021.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

Ann’s solution was to channel accurate information to welfare recipients.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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Related Words

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

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