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

Other services provided by faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore — including the schools of nursing, social work, law and pharmacy — also have the potential to be added to the space. —Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 9 July 2024

Veronica, one of the program's original dancers, has now graduated from St John’s University with a degree in communications, while another dancer, Kathleen graduated from the University of Illinois with undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 26 July 2024

Ratliff graduated from Miami University in 2017 with a bachelor's in social work. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 17 July 2024

While school-level celebrations have continued, some have featured disruptions and demonstrations, including a social work graduate who ripped their diploma folder in half on stage. —Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 15 May 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