on welfare
idiom
US
: receiving money from the government because of a low income or lack of income
a family on welfare
Examples of on welfare in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Harry Potter books transformed her from a single mother on welfare to an author with a ten-figure fortune—but her massive charity initiatives dropped her from the ranks of billionaires.
—
Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The working-class Italian family was on welfare when the little boy arrived in the midst of the Great Depression, and their finances were further strained by his constant health problems.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025
As refugees in the 70s, the family went through a difficult time and started out on welfare.
—Kaitlyn Schwanemann, NBC news, 12 May 2025
Months before her abduction, Amber, Ricky and Williams, who at the time was a single mother working toward her GED, were interviewed by WFAA-TV for a special on welfare reform.
—Emily Krauser, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on welfare
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
The working-class Italian family was on welfare when the little boy arrived in the midst of the Great Depression, and their finances were further strained by his constant health problems.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025
As refugees in the 70s, the family went through a difficult time and started out on welfare.
—Kaitlyn Schwanemann, NBC news, 12 May 2025
Months before her abduction, Amber, Ricky and Williams, who at the time was a single mother working toward her GED, were interviewed by WFAA-TV for a special on welfare reform.
—Emily Krauser, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on welfare
Cite this Entry
“On welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20welfare. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share