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
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.
If the objective is to make getting benefits as frustrating as possible, staffing reductions make sense, said Eric Kingson, a professor emeritus of social work at Syracuse University. — Kirby Wilson, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025 Julianna Bonilla, from Waterford High, transferred from Marist to play a fifth year at SCSU, pursue a master’s in social work and get a foot in the coaching door. — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2025 Challenging social injustices while respecting individuals' inherent dignity and worth are core values of social work, embedded in the profession's code of ethics. — Andrea Hsu, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025 Additionally, the existing plan forged by lawmakers would include professionals in audiology and speech pathology, occupational therapy, physician's assistants, dietetics, respiratory care and social work. — Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for social work

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of social work was in 1847

Rhymes for social work

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Browse Nearby Words

social work
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Cite this Entry

“Social work.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20work. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on social work

Nglish: Translation of social work for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about social work

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