welfare

The noun welfare has 3 senses

• social welfare, welfare, public assistance -- (governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need; "she lives on welfare")
• benefit, welfare -- (something that aids or promotes well-being; "for the benefit of all")
• wellbeing, well-being, welfare, upbeat, eudaemonia, eudaimonia -- (a contented state of being happy and healthy and prosperous; "the town was finally on the upbeat after our recent troubles")