welfare
Americannoun
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the good fortune, health, happiness, prosperity, etc., of a person, group, or organization; well-being.
to look after a child's welfare; the physical or moral welfare of society.
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financial or other assistance to an individual or family from a city, state, or national government.
Thousands of jobless people in this city would starve if it weren't for welfare.
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(initial capital letter) a governmental agency that provides funds and aid to people in need, especially those unable to work.
idioms
noun
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health, happiness, prosperity, and well-being in general
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financial and other assistance given to people in need
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( as modifier )
welfare services
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Also called: welfare work. plans or work to better the social or economic conditions of various underprivileged groups
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informal the public agencies involved with giving such assistance
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in receipt of financial aid from a government agency or other source
Other Word Forms
- antiwelfare adjective
Etymology
Origin of welfare
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from phrase wel fare; equivalent to well 1 + fare
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Farmers are supposed to have adequate slurry storage to prevent animal welfare issues and any pollution risks due to potential overflowing.
From BBC
Prof Graeme Roy, who chairs the commission, also explained that things could be worse if the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, had pushed her welfare reforms through the Westminster Labour group.
From BBC
The Society for Community Organization, a grassroots advocacy group, said the budget was lacking in welfare spending despite an uptick in government revenue.
From Barron's
Despite the high service level of Denmark’s welfare state, Greenlanders’ health lags behind that of Danes.
She said she was "concerned" for Kimberley's welfare.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
