wel ‧ fare S3 W2 AC /ˈwelfeə $ -fer/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: well fare 'to fare well' ]
1 . someone’s welfare is their health and happiness:
Our only concern is the children’s welfare.
2 . help that is provided for people who have personal or social problems
welfare benefits/services/programmes etc
the provision of education and welfare services
The company’s welfare officer deals with employees’ personal problems.
3 . American English money that is paid by the government in the US to people who are very poor or unemployed SYN benefit British English
on welfare
Most of the people in this neighborhood are on welfare.