social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family

especially, Social Security : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

began collecting social security

Examples of social security in a Sentence

She is living on social security.

He began collecting Social Security checks.

Recent Examples on the Web

The breach included possible access to names, social security numbers, contact information, dates of birth and bank account numbers. —Andrew Sever, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

This will ensure your identity can't be stolen in the event that scammers obtain your social security number. —Emma Li, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2024

The proposal follows a string of other tax cuts put forward by Trump, including the removal of taxes on car-loan payments, social security benefits and servers' tips. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2024

The Republicans say that President Biden is imperiling social security with reckless overspending. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

social security

noun

1

: the idea or system by which the public provides for the security of individuals and their families

2

capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

Legal Definition

social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family

especially, often capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

collects social security

see also Social Security Act, Social Security Administration