social security

American  

[soh-shuhl si-kyoor-i-tee] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl sɪˈkyʊər ɪ ti /

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.

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social security British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of social security

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The overall social security bill is forecast to rise to £9.2bn by then.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

The regularisation, he adds, "will allow me to work and contribute to the social security system."

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

She will also announce the creation of a cross-party "national council" to discuss taxation and how to fund ageing Japan's ballooning social security bill.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

“We can’t allow all this to be amplified or emboldened through an algorithm,” Elma Saiz, Spain’s minister of inclusion, social security and migration, said at a press conference.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

“Full name, date of birth, and social security number.”

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas