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Synonyms

social service

American  

noun

  • social services
    plural
  1. organized welfare efforts carried on under professional auspices by trained personnel.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of social service

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Although CPS is a social service agency, it has a lot of overlap with the criminal justice system.

From Salon Apr. 7, 2025

Suga started his service last year and is working as a social service agent after being ruled unfit for regular combat duty.

From BBC Aug. 7, 2024

This is generally done by third-party vendors, often “street teams,” who solicit in front of public buildings — such as social service benefits offices — or near supermarkets.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 31, 2024

The library’s social service team is still working, and patrons can still check out physical copies of books or other media as long as they bring in their library card or number.

From Seattle Times Jun. 3, 2024

They represented social service agencies in the United States and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

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