Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

social service

American  

noun

  1. organized welfare efforts carried on under professional auspices by trained personnel.


Other Word Forms

  • social-service adjective

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.

“I think it can be very beneficial to share that eligibility data,” she said, and flag people for different social service programs based on their characteristics.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2025

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

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2025

When he started out in Hull in the ’80s, Sibley said, police departments in the U.K. were already working to defer calls to social service agencies.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2024

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

And some evenings I'd catch her and Ty'ree whispering about different doctors, their fees, and social service benefits.

From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson