the various social services provided by a state for the benefit of its citizens
2. (capitals)
(in New Zealand) a government department concerned with pensions and benefits for elderly people, sick people, etc
social welfare in American English
1.
the welfare of society, esp. of those segments of society that are underprivileged or disadvantaged because of poverty, poor education, unemployment, etc.
2.
UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'social welfare' in a sentence
social welfare
Finally, the social welfare work was the charge of the deacons.
social welfare in British English