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

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 Lashana Lynch, playing singer, philanthropist and cultural icon Rita Marley was always going to be daunting.

From Los Angeles Times

Southern California philanthropist and businessman Stephen Cloobeck announced his run for California governor on Tuesday with a barrage of advertisements on TV stations and news websites, targeting Californians following the results of the 2024 presidential election.

From Los Angeles Times

Through his music, Jones became a philanthropist and activist, co-writing the star-studded charity single "We Are the World" with Lionel Richie.

From Salon

Twenty years later, the billionaire philanthropist donated nearly $1m to the Biden-Harris re-election campaign, according to Fortune Magazine.

From BBC

Related Words

• benefactor
• contributor
• donor
• patron