social work

American  

noun

1. organized work directed toward the betterment of social conditions in the community, as by seeking to improve the condition of people in poverty, to promote the welfare of children, etc.

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social work British  

noun

1. any of various social services designed to alleviate the conditions of the poor and aged and to increase the welfare of children

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Other Word Forms

• social worker noun

Etymology

Origin of social work

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Benjamin Henwood, a USC social work researcher and co-author of the paper, said that kind of instability can cause people to lose medications, documents, belongings and connections to outreach workers and care providers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

And Scottish Labour MSP Paul Sweeney called for better social work and mental health service signposting for the terminally ill.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender studies from NYU in 2006, she followed up with a master’s in social work from USC in 2010, People reported.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

They said social work and education staff are both trained in how to identify issues of concern regarding a child's welfare and how to respond.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

After the meeting I met an Irish girl who worked for an advertising agency, a girl who did social work, a schoolteacher, and the wife of a prominent university professor.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright