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

That investigation led to the provincial animal welfare agency declaring that all the park's marine life was under distress because of poor water quality.

Read more on BBC

Picture the scene - the government decides it really has to crack on with some welfare cuts after all and ministers announce them.

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According to a report by the South Wales Echo in 1990, Mr Price last saw his daughter at a court meeting about her welfare in February 1981.

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In her letter, she called on Putin to keep the welfare of children in mind—and restore their “melodic laughter”—amid the continuing war.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Varhelyi currently serves as the EU's commissioner for health and animal welfare.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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