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
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 Tori Otten 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
Ellie Wolfe Examples of social service in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ten of the kiosks are located at the program sites and interim housing locations run by the People Concern, a social services nonprofit.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Our state is using the same playbook the current U.S. administration is using to choke out public and social services.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
At Harold Washington Library, this includes a collection of social service agencies known as CPL Cares.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
In those cases, victim disclosure isn’t a necessary requirement to get help; a report is made and social service agencies or police typically intervene.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for social service
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.
Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Our state is using the same playbook the current U.S. administration is using to choke out public and social services.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
At Harold Washington Library, this includes a collection of social service agencies known as CPL Cares.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
In those cases, victim disclosure isn’t a necessary requirement to get help; a report is made and social service agencies or police typically intervene.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for social service
Cite this Entry
“Social service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20service. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share