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

Flashback: Jenkins, who has degrees in social work, was the CEO of utility bill assistance nonprofit The Heat and Warmth Fund for about a decade until recently stepping down to focus on her run. —Annalise Frank, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025

Just wearing the wrong clothes or standing on the wrong block could lead to problems with the police, according to Padilla, whose group quells gang violence through diplomacy and social work. —Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

Other projects Other projects approved in the plan includes: Renovations to IU academic buildings on the Indianapolis campus, such as the business, public affairs and social work buildings. —Binghui Huang, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Sep. 2024

Burrus has a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Kentucky. —Jenny Block, New York Times, 20 Dec. 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