social work

American  

noun

1. organized work directed toward the betterment of social conditions in the community, as by seeking to improve the condition of people in poverty, to promote the welfare of children, etc.

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social work British  

noun

1. any of various social services designed to alleviate the conditions of the poor and aged and to increase the welfare of children

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Other Word Forms

• social worker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of social work

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

social work

Iain Duguid KC for the third teenager said he was 14-years-old at the time of the murder and his "immaturity" had been highlighted in criminal justice social work reports.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

After leaving social work, Walton-Cole experienced another side of court when she was called for jury service last year at Guildford Crown Court in Surrey.

From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2026

Plus, more workers have opted to go back to school for advanced degrees in social work and health professions, among other fields.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026

Callie Kinnan, 21, never planned to study fashion, but social work.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026

Ms. Sandnes received her master’s degree in social work, became a licensed counselor, and still works at The Children’s Home as the counseling services manager.

From "Three Little Words: A Memoir" by Ashley Rhodes-Courter