social security

American  

[soh-shuhl si-kyoor-i-tee] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl sɪˈkjʊər 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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

social security

In California, people are required to provide a driver’s license number or a portion of their social security number when they register to vote.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

The social security minister said last month it was a priority for her to introduce mandatory workplace pensions alongside the government pension.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026

As a comparison, retirees in the US get state payments known as social security retirement benefits.

From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2026

"Healthcare and the social security system must be improved. That has gone down in the last couple of years."

From Barron's ● Sep. 8, 2026

It contained her new driver’s license, social security card, work permit, and all the cash she had.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John

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