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

Working through it with a therapist can be immensely helpful too, Emily Hein, a writer and social work student, has found. —Anna Medaris, Vox, 21 July 2024

Most people will have master's degrees in social work, psychology, or a similar field. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 13 Oct. 2024

Fields such as social work, teacher education, psychology, and counseling are among those most likely to fail these evaluation criteria. —Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024

The Life Event Services workers come from a broad range of professional backgrounds—like social work, 911 assistance, medical care, and police enforcement—to support employees with empathy and emergency expertise. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

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