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welfare definition

wel·fare (wel′fer′)

noun

  1. the state of being or doing well; condition of health, happiness, and comfort; well-being; prosperity
    1. the organized efforts of government agencies that grant aid to the poor, the unemployed, etc.
    2. such aid
  3. welfare work

Etymology: ME < wel faren, to fare well: see well & fare

welfare Idioms

on welfare

receiving government aid because of poverty, unemployment, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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