social security

[soh-shuhl si-kyoor-i-tee]

noun

1. Usually Social Security a program of old-age, unemployment, health, disability, and survivors insurance maintained by the U.S. federal government through compulsory payments by specific employer and employee groups.

2. the theory or practice of providing economic security and social welfare for the individual through government programs maintained by funds from public taxation.

social security

noun

1. public provision for the economic, and sometimes social, welfare of the aged, unemployed, etc, esp through pensions and other monetary assistance

2. (often capitals) a government programme designed to provide such assistance

Word History and Origins

Origin of social security¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

As a taxpayer, a Social Security in-payer, and someone who appreciates efficiency and good government, I am grateful.

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Social Security spends $1.6 trillion a year — or, to put it in those same terms, $1,600,000,000,000.

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This week, she answered questions from a reader about whether or not to begin receiving Social Security payments 62 — the earliest age possible.

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Social Security spends $1.6 trillion a year — or, to put it in the same terms, $1,600,000,000,000.

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That last figure represents the total amount of “improper payments” that the inspector general’s team reckon the Social Security Administration has avoided making during the past six months.

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