1. Well-being in any respect; prosperity.
general welfare. The public’s health, peace, morals, and safety.
public welfare. A society’s well-being in matters of health, safety, order, morality, economics, and politics.
2. A system of social insurance providing assistance to those who are financially in need, as by providing food stamps and family allowances.
— Also termed (historically) poor relief. [Cases: Agriculture 2.6; Social Security and Public Welfare
4. C.J.S. Agriculture §§ 27–29; Social Security and Public Welfare§§ 6, 10, 17.]
corporate welfare. Governmental financial assistance given to a large company, usu. in the form of a subsidy.