social work

noun

: any of various professional activities or methods concretely concerned with providing social services and especially with the investigation, treatment, and material aid of the economically, physically, mentally, or socially disadvantaged
social worker noun

Examples of social work in a Sentence

She is doing social work. He has a job in social work.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And its resources are put to use well beyond the field of medicine, with grants for work in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, social sciences, and social work, among other fields. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2025 Through the program, graduate students pursuing a license in social work and other soon-to-be professionals would get involved in student clubs and help facilitate discussions and workshops. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025 Stevenson can also boast about how her brainchild has produced generations of students heading into careers in law and social work who are imbued with the program’s restorative spirit. Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024 The study was undertaken by UNC social work researcher Orrin Ware and veterinary toxicologist Renee Schmid of the Pet Poison Helpline. Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for social work 

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of social work was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near social work

Cite this Entry

“Social work.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20work. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

social work

noun
: any of various professional activities or methods concerned especially with providing services (as counseling, job training, or financial assistance) designed to promote social well-being (as of the economically disadvantaged)
social worker noun

Medical Definition

social work

noun
: any of various professional services, activities, or methods concretely concerned with the investigation, treatment, and material aid of the economically, physically, mentally, or socially disadvantaged

More from Merriam-Webster on social work

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