almsgiving

American

[ahlmz-giv-ing, ahmz-] / ˈɑlmzˌgɪv ɪŋ, ˈɑmz- /

noun

the act of donating money, food, or other items to people in need of them, especially as a spiritual practice.

Almsgiving helps us experience giving freely, which leads to freedom from the obsession with possessing, freedom from the fear of losing what we have.

Etymology

Origin of almsgiving

alms + giving

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It concludes a 40-day period known as Lent, during which Christians focus on prayer, almsgiving, and practice traditions such as abstinence from eating meat on certain days.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

We’re also supposed to practice almsgiving and assist those less fortunate than ourselves as a way of honoring Christ, who pointed out that giving so it costs you is the only way to give.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving, and pilgrimage.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2024

While in Mecca he spent lavishly, contributing some 100,000 gold pieces to charity and related almsgiving programs.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

It is much used in composition, as almsgiver, almsgiving, alms bag, alms chest, etc.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023