n.[U]

1. 福利；幸福；健康安乐
   She works hard for the welfare of the poor.

   她为了穷人的福利而辛勤工作。

2. 救济事业；福利事业
3. 【美】社会救济（制度）
   They are living on welfare now.

   他们现在靠社会救济生活。

a.[Z][B]

1. 福利的；福利事业的
   People are concerned about the cutbacks in federal welfare programs.

   人们关注着联邦福利计划的削减。

2. 接受社会救济的

n.

1. the health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group.
2. action or procedure designed to promote the basic physical and material well-being of people in need.
   ▸chiefly N. Amer. financial support given for this purpose.