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

Benjamin Henwood, a USC social work researcher and co-author of the paper, said that kind of instability can cause people to lose medications, documents, belongings and connections to outreach workers and care providers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Cal State L.A. will receive $48 million to add more students to its master of social work programs and provide more than 1,000 scholarships and grants for prospective students.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

Katie Graden-Tyson, a social work assistant from Belfast, said she views medication as a last resort but is struggling to cope without support.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2025

She then did a social work degree and this summer completed a  scholarship programme for clinical medicine at the University of Oxford.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2025

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