welfare

[wel-fair]

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.

welfare

/ 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

welfare

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.

Other Word Forms

• antiwelfare adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of welfare¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of welfare¹

C14: from the phrase wel fare; related to Old Norse velferth, German Wohlfahrt; see _well ¹ , _fare

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

Emergency crews were sent to a shop in Cresswell Crescent, Bloxwich, West Midlands, on Friday night after concerns were raised over the welfare of a man.

From BBC

Is reforming schools, hospitals or welfare at the top of the list?

From BBC

As well as proving a person's right to work the government promise that it will in future "make it simpler to apply for services like driving licences, childcare and welfare."

From BBC

Ministers have ruled out requiring the ID for access to healthcare or welfare payments.

From BBC

Under the guidelines, if a weapon is found then an incident review meeting should be arranged within five school days of the incident with "at least one daily welfare check".

From BBC

Related Words

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