Real Dictionary

welfare state
singular noun: In Britain and some other countries, the welfare state is a system in which the government provides free social services such as health and education and gives money to people when they are unable to work, for example because they are old, unemployed, or

welfare state in American English
a state in which the welfare of its citizens, with regard to employment, medical care, social security, etc., is considered to be the responsibility of the government
a state in which the welfare of the people in such matters as social security, health and education, housing, and working conditions is the responsibility of the government

welfare state in British English
noun: a system in which the government undertakes the chief responsibility for providing for the social and economic security of its population, usually through unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, and other social-security measures