Trivia Time

Which organization focuses on child welfare globally?

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welfare

American  

[wel-fair] / ˈwɛlˌfɛər /

noun

1. the good fortune, health, happiness, prosperity, etc., of a person, group, or organization; well-being.

   to look after a child's welfare; the physical or moral welfare of society.

2. welfare work.

3. financial or other assistance to an individual or family from a city, state, or national government.

   Thousands of jobless people in this city would starve if it weren't for welfare.

4. (initial capital letter) a governmental agency that provides funds and aid to people in need, especially those unable to work.

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idioms

1. on welfare, receiving financial aid from the government or from a private organization because of hardship and need.

welfare British  

/ ˈwɛlˌfɛə /

noun

1. health, happiness, prosperity, and well-being in general

2. 1. financial and other assistance given to people in need

   2. ( as modifier )

      welfare services

3. Also called: welfare work. plans or work to better the social or economic conditions of various underprivileged groups

4. informal the public agencies involved with giving such assistance

5. in receipt of financial aid from a government agency or other source

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welfare Cultural  

1. Government-provided support for those unable to support themselves. In the United States, it is undertaken by various federal, state, and local agencies under the auspices of different programs, the best known of which are Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and food stamps.

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Other Word Forms

• antiwelfare
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of welfare

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from phrase wel fare; equivalent to well ¹ + fare

Explanation

Your welfare is your happiness and well being. Parents are usually in charge of their children's welfare, making sure they're healthy, happy and well fed. Welfare is a state of content or prosperous existence. So if something bad happens, your welfare is threatened. Welfare can also refer to a government system designed to give money, food, and resources to the poor. Welfare systems have been around since ancient Roman times, but the U.S. welfare program didn't start until the 1930's, during the Great Depression.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

welfare

In an attempt to address this issue, Lula increased by 15% the value of Bolsa Família, the government's main social welfare program.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

In France, child welfare group e-Enfance said last month it had received some 20 reports of women being filmed without their consent, in most of those cases with Meta glasses.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

Hope clubs pull players out, citing that player welfare comes first.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

"He did good things for me, for my family," he said, referring to Lula's social welfare programs.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

"Without Papito," Mami confided in her girls, swearing them never to repeat this to their father, "without Papito, we would have to go on welfare."

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• benefit
• health
• interest
• progress
• prosperity
• weal
• well-being