welfare

welfare

welfare

welfare

1 of 2

noun

wel·​fare ˈwel-ˌfer 

Synonyms of welfare

1

the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, well-being, or prosperity

must look out for your own welfare

2

a

aid in the form of money or necessities for those in need

b

an agency or program through which such aid is distributed

welfare2 of 2

adjective

1

of, relating to, or concerned with welfare and especially with improvement of the welfare of disadvantaged social groups

welfare legislation

2

receiving public benefits

welfare families

Synonyms

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of welfare in a Sentence

Examples of welfare in a Sentence

NounHe wants to do away with welfare.I have your welfare at heart.The of all the orphans was at stake.She donates to organizations concerned about animal.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Noun

Police said deputies were dispatched to the home on Jan. 28 at around 4 p.m. for a check on a woman, later identified as the mother of the children but not named.—Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025In November, animal welfare groups filed federal lawsuits against the plan in Oregon and Washington calling the strategy inhumane and alleging violations of federal laws.—Adrian Rodriguez, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025

Adjective

Moderate Democrats fear pro-welfare and anti-business labels.—John Harwood, CNN, 19 Sep. 2021Starting near the end of the last century, the rhetoric of business-minded reform increasingly cloaked the politics of deregulation, anti-cutbacks, and austerity.—Kyle Edward Williams, The New Republic, 9 Dec. 2020See all Example Sentences for welfare 

Word History

History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from the phrase wel faren to fare well

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of welfare was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing welfare

Dictionary Entries Near welfare

Dictionary Entries Near welfare

weld screw

welfare

welfare capitalism

See More Nearby Entries 

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“Welfare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/welfare. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

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Kids Definition

Kids Definition

welfarenoun

wel·​fare 

ˈwel-ˌfa(ə)r,

-ˌfe(ə)r

1

the state of doing well especially in relation to happiness, well-being, or success

must look out for your own welfare

2

a

aid in the form of money or necessities for people in need

b

a program through which such aid is distributed

welfare adjective\

welfare adjective

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