philanthropy

[ fi-lan-thruh-pee ]

noun

, plural phi·lan·thro·pies.

1. altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.
2. the activity of donating to such persons or purposes in this way:

   to devote one's later years to philanthropy.

3. a particular act, form, or instance of this activity:

   The art museum was their favorite philanthropy.

4. an organization devoted to helping needy persons or to other socially useful purposes.

philanthropy

/ ˈfɪlənˌθrəʊp; fɪˈlænθrəpɪ /

noun

1. the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions
2. love of mankind in general

Derived Forms

• phiˈlanthropist, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of philanthropy¹

First recorded in 1600–10; earlier philanthropia, from Late Latin, from Greek philanthrōpía “benevolence, humane feeling”; phil-, anthropo-, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of philanthropy¹

C17: from Late Latin philanthrōpia, from Greek: love of mankind, from philos loving + anthrōpos man

Example Sentences

Critics have accused the family of using their philanthropy to whitewash their business practices, and Tel Aviv University and other institutions had already removed the Sackler name from other programs.

From Science Magazine

MrBeast is the biggest YouTuber in the world with more than 300m subscribers, known for elaborate challenges as well as his philanthropy.

From BBC

He is known for philanthropy in South Carolina, where his family has deep roots.

From BBC

Critics have accused the family of using its philanthropy to whitewash its business practices, and museums such as the Louvre in Paris and the National Portrait Gallery in London have disassociated themselves from the family.

From Science Magazine

Some of these choice programs rely at least in part for funding on donations offset by tax credits or philanthropy rather than a direct state subsidy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charity
• generosity