social service

noun

: an activity designed to promote social well-being

specifically : organized philanthropic assistance (such as counseling, job training, or financial support)

It operates like a mall with specialty shops, treating students like customers, or the adult clients of a social service, rather than as young people in need of an education for a worthy life.

—Joseph Featherstone

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

—often used before another noun

social service agencies

a social service project

Examples of social service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As president, Biden has backed community policing and violence intervention efforts and called for more mental and social services funding. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 10 June 2024

June 7, 2024 5 AM PT Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options SAN DIEGO — San Diego’s one-stop shop for domestic violence victims has outgrown its downtown headquarters and needs a larger spot to accommodate additional expansion plans and new social service partnerships. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2024

The funds will be sourced from Measure K, a local sales tax fund that finances local social services. —Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 22 May 2024

That includes people holding Biden/Harris campaign signs, a group of pickup trucks and Jeeps, and a cargo truck representing the Vet Center, which provides social services for veterans and their families. —Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 19 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined above