well-being

[wel-bee-ing]

noun

1. a good or satisfactory condition of existence; a state characterized by health, happiness, and prosperity; welfare.

   to influence the well-being of the nation and its people.

Word History and Origins

Origin of well-being¹

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

Social connection, Ben Rein argues in “Why Brains Need Friends,” improves health and well-being, reducing the risk of conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease and dementia to depression and anxiety.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Interest in understanding what drives resilience and long-term well-being is growing.

Read more on Science Daily

I get the focus-boosting and well-being benefits of a more predictable schedule, without the itchy feeling I get when a human tells me when or how long I need to stay at my desk.

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"The President's paramount concern is the safety and well-being of our people in the earthquake struck areas," Gomez told reporters.

Read more on Barron's

General Assembly meeting in New York, where she launched the Fostering the Future Together initiative aimed at promoting the well-being of children around the world.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• comfort 
• contentment 
• happiness 
• health 
• prosperity 
• protection 
• safety 
• security 
• success 
• welfare 

When To Use

What does well-being mean?

The well-being of someone or something is its welfare or overall condition or state of health. A high level of well-being means that the overall condition is healthy and positive.Well-being can also refer to a specific aspect of one’s health, and it is often preceded by words like mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and the like. Well-being is most often applied to people and communities but it can also be applied to things, especially organizations or institutions, such as a nation, economy, or educational system. It is sometimes spelled without the hyphen (well being) or as one word (wellbeing).Example: I hate to call out sick so close to my deadline, but I’m trying to prioritize my well-being instead of constantly pushing myself.