social service

noun

plural social services

: a program or effort designed to promote human or societal well-being

specifically : organized help for people who are in need of assistance with basic needs (such as food, housing, safety, or job training) or with medical needs (such as addiction or mental illness)

—usually plural

Most states are struggling with skimpy resources and a system of uncoordinated social services that is totally inadequate to serve a population of individuals whose needs are bottomless.

—Constance Holden

… attacked the idea of social services, claiming that the only entity entitled to provide care is the church, not the government.

—Tori Otten

—often used before another noun

social service agencies

Until the bridge's closure, the island hosted and supported social service programs including homeless shelters and an addiction recovery campus.

—Ellie Wolfe

Examples of social service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the last five years, most job growth has been concentrated in government, social services, and healthcare. —Joel Shulman, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024

Churches have long been cornerstones of our communities, offering spiritual guidance, social services, and vital gathering spaces. —Mark Kellar, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024

The damage primarily affected the organization's Mothers Organizing Center where advocates assist women and children in accessing legal advocacy, housing, social services and other financial resources. —Tamia Fowlkes, Journal Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024

But a recent article by conservative think tank the Manhattan Institute questions the use of health care funds to pay for social services — a potential bellwether that suggests the new administration might not be supportive of programs like CalAIM. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above