welfare

[ wel-fair ]

noun

1. 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.

2. welfare work.
3. 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.

4. (initial capital letter) Informal. a governmental agency that provides funds and aid to people in need, especially those unable to work.

welfare

/ ˈwɛlˌfɛə /

noun

1. health, happiness, prosperity, and well-being in general
2. 1. financial and other assistance given to people in need
   2. ( as modifier )

      welfare services

3. Also calledwelfare work plans or work to better the social or economic conditions of various underprivileged groups
4. the welfare informal.
   the public agencies involved with giving such assistance
5. on welfare
   in receipt of financial aid from a government agency or other source

welfare

1. Government-provided support for those unable to support themselves. In the United States, it is undertaken by various federal, state, and local agencies under the auspices of different programs, the best known of which are Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and food stamps.

Other Words From

• anti·welfare adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of welfare¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from phrase wel fare; equivalent to well ¹ + fare

Word History and Origins

Origin of welfare¹

C14: from the phrase wel fare; related to Old Norse velferth, German Wohlfahrt; see well ¹, fare

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on welfare, receiving financial aid from the government or from a private organization because of hardship and need.

Example Sentences

To address this problem, residents began to explore community-led projects with the help of community federations, NPOs, social welfare organizations, the government, and universities.

From Science Daily

Democrats view Medicaid as a health insurance program that helps people pay for health care...Republicans view Medicaid as a government welfare program.

From Los Angeles Times

The UK government said it had "ambitious plans to improve animal welfare".

From BBC

Northamptonshire Police said it was contacted on Wednesday regarding concerns for her welfare - and that led to the discovery of her body and the launch of a murder investigation.

From BBC

Northamptonshire Police had been contacted on the Wednesday regarding concerns for her welfare.

From BBC

Related Words

• benefit
• health
• interest
• progress
• prosperity
• weal
• well-being