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

I’m a social work professor who studies how people manage their money and their well-being.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

As Greer's serial offending was emerging, detectives took steps to ensure his family were not in danger, and social work officers, accompanied by local police, visited his home on 5 May.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

“I owe more in student debt than I owe on my house,” said Durkee, a resident of Medford, N.J., who has a master’s degree in social work.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 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

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