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

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

The headlines tolling doom have cast a shadow over the work of millions of dedicated mathematicians, entrepreneurs, engineers, artists, ecologists and community advocates and repelled onlookers, creating a profound missed opportunity to reshape philanthropy.

From Salon

His family did not share any information about the circumstances surrounding his death but released a statement acknowledging Glover’s impact on the communities he served through his journalism and philanthropy.

From Los Angeles Times

Just this week, Lesh and the Dead’s other founders were announced as the 2025 recipients of the Recording Academy’s prestigious MusiCares Persons of the Year award in recognition of the band’s philanthropy and cultural impact.

From Los Angeles Times

The Turbine Theatre in London's Battersea Power Station is to close after five years, blaming a theatre landscape "without serious investment and philanthropy".

From BBC

Related Words

• charity
• generosity