welfare

UK: /ˈwɛlfɛə^r/ US: /ˈwɛlˌfɛr/ ,(wel′fâr′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

wel•fare /ˈwɛlˌfɛr/   n. [uncountable]

1. health, happiness, and prosperity;
   well-being.
2. Government assistance given by government to those in need;
   public relief:
   He is receiving welfare. He is on welfare.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

wel•fare  (wel′fâr′), n. 

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. Government See welfare work. 
3. Government 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. Government (cap.) [Informal.] a governmental agency that provides funds and aid to people in need, esp. those unable to work.
5. Government on welfare, receiving financial aid from the government or from a private organization because of hardship and need.

• Middle English, from phrase wel fare. See well¹, fare 1275–1325

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

welfare / ˈwɛlˌfɛə/ noun

1. health, happiness, prosperity, and well-being in general
2. financial and other assistance given to people in need
3. (as modifier): welfare services
4. Also called: welfare work plans or work to better the social or economic conditions of various underprivileged groups
5. on welfare ⇒ in receipt of financial aid from a government agency or other source

Etymology: 14th Century: from the phrase wel fare; related to Old Norse velferth, German Wohlfahrt; see well¹, fare