noun
governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need
-
she lives on welfare
• Syn: ↑social welfare, ↑welfare
• Hypernyms: ↑aid, ↑economic aid, ↑financial aid
• Hyponyms: ↑social insurance, ↑relief, ↑dole, ↑pogy, ↑pogey
* * *
noun [noncount]
US : money that the government gives to people who are poor, old, or disabled
Our family had to go on public assistance [=receive money from the government] when my parents lost their jobs.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.