welfare state

noun

1
: a social system based on the assumption by a political state of primary responsibility for the individual and social welfare of its citizens
2
: a nation or state characterized by the operation of the welfare state system

Examples of welfare state in a Sentence

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.
Left-wing voters in France are angry at Macron for his reforms to the country's welfare state, among other issues. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024 Nearly all of them helped prop up one of the world’s largest welfare states, nationalizing everything from public utilities to the Central Bank. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 Her policy plan promises a lot of new and expanded tax credits, and would raise taxes on corporations and the very wealthy, but says relatively little about expanding the welfare state. Andrew Prokop, Vox, 15 Oct. 2024 Advertisement Americans who have had their run-ins with the health insurance industry, never mind our own inadequate welfare state, won’t have trouble feeling indignation. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for welfare state 

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of welfare state was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near welfare state

Cite this Entry

“Welfare state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welfare%20state. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

welfare state

noun
: a social system in which the government takes on much of the responsibility for the individual and group welfare of its people

More from Merriam-Webster on welfare state

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