welfare state

noun

1
: a social system based on the assumption by a political state of primary responsibility for the individual and social welfare of its citizens
2
: a nation or state characterized by the operation of the welfare state system

Examples of welfare state in a Sentence

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.
Brutalism was the welfare state in Britain and authoritarian rule in the Soviet Union. Anna Kodé, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 This will be painful since many of Europe’s governments are already struggling to balance the books and are under extreme pressure to maintain their popular welfare states. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025 Most states would have to sacrifice bits of their welfare state, or borrow heavily, or tax even more heavily, to fund such an increase. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 It should be said, though, that, with regard to NATO, the Europeans for decades have relied too heavily on American guarantees while shortchanging their own armies and funding their welfare states. Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for welfare state

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of welfare state was in 1894

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Cite this Entry

“Welfare state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welfare%20state. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

welfare state

noun
: a social system in which the government takes on much of the responsibility for the individual and group welfare of its people

More from Merriam-Webster on welfare state

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