philanthropist

[ fi-lan-thruh-pist ]

noun

1. a person, typically a wealthy one, who has an altruistic concern for human welfare and shows it by donating money, property, time, or work to aid people in need or to support institutions that serve the public:

   In his private life he was a major philanthropist who spent over $2 billion on causes ranging from education to healthcare.

Other Words From

• phi·lan·thro·pis·tic [fi-lan-thr, uh, -, pis, -tik] adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of philanthropist¹

First recorded in 1720–30; philanthrop(y) + -ist

Example Sentences

McGuinness's fundraising total will rise significantly after Scottish businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter said he would double any donations made from Wednesday onwards, up to a £3m limit.

From BBC

Voters instead chose a political outsider, wealthy philanthropist and Levi’s heir Daniel Lurie, who promised to shut down open-air drug markets and make San Francisco less welcoming to street encampments.

From Los Angeles Times

For entrepreneur and philanthropist Emmet Stephenson Jr., seeing his wife and friends die from pancreatic cancer served as a wake-up call.

From Los Angeles Times

The restaurant opened with partners that included philanthropist Eli Broad and restaurant entrepreneur Bill Chait, who owned Hollingsworth’s previous barbecue restaurant Barrel & Ashes.

From Los Angeles Times

Shangri-La is an offshoot of Shangri-La Entertainment, an organization started by the late philanthropist and film producer Stephen Bing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• benefactor
• contributor
• donor
• patron