social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of individuals and their families

especially, Social Security : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

began collecting social security

Examples of social security in a Sentence

She is living on social security.

He began collecting Social Security checks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Then in a complete coincidence that the show doesn’t even bother treating like anything other than a complete coincidence, Max discovers the records for a person who has been collecting social security since the program began, which is suspicious. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

The company said that the unauthorized party had access to some information connected to accounts, including names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and the last four digits of social security numbers. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026

Today, two social security experts tell us the pros and cons. — Adrian Ma, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

The ministry said sustaining Japan's social security system will become increasingly important as the population continues to age. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for social security

• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• purity
• surety

Kids Definition

social security

noun

1

: the idea or system by which the public provides for the security of individuals and their families

2

capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

Legal Definition

social security

noun

1

: the principle or practice or a program of public provision (as through social insurance or assistance) for the economic security and social welfare of the individual and his or her family

especially, often capitalized both Ss : a U.S. government program established in 1935 to include old-age and survivors insurance, contributions to state unemployment insurance, and old-age assistance

2

: money paid out through a social security program

collects social security

see also Social Security Act, Social Security Administration