welfare state

noun

1

: a social system based on the assumption by a political state of primary responsibility for the individual and social welfare of its citizens

2

: a nation or state characterized by the operation of the welfare state system

Examples of welfare state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Only the return to a lower-tax state that embraces free markets and eschews a massive welfare state can stop the bleeding. —Adam B. Summers, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026

Rampell’s writing and commentary do not reflect the views of actual neoconservatives, who champion shrinking the welfare state as well as a robustly interventionist foreign policy. —Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026

Only the return to a lower-tax state that embraces free markets and eschews a massive welfare state can stop the bleeding. —Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Critics, however, argued that the focus on local control was a fig leaf for austerity and dismantling the welfare state. —National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for welfare state

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

welfare state

noun

: a social system in which the government takes on much of the responsibility for the individual and group welfare of its people