altruism

American  

[al-troo-iz-uhm] / ˈæl truˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (egoism ).

2. Animal Behavior. behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, as a warning cry that reveals the location of the caller to a predator.

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altruism British  

/ ˈæltruːˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others

2. the philosophical doctrine that right action is that which produces the greatest benefit to others

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altruism Scientific  

/ ăl′tro̅o̅-ĭz′əm /

1. Instinctive behavior that is detrimental or without reproductive benefit to the individual but that favors the survival or spread of that individual's genes. The willingness of a subordinate member of a wolf pack to forgo mating and help care for the dominant pair's pups is an example of altruistic behavior. While the individual may not reproduce, or may reproduce less often, its behavior helps ensure that a close relative does successfully reproduce, thus passing on a large share of the altruistic individual's genetic material.

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altruism Cultural  

1. A selfless concern for others.

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Other Word Forms

• altruist noun
• altruistic adjective
• altruistically adverb
• hyperaltruism noun

Etymology

Origin of altruism

First recorded in 1850–55; from French altruisme, equivalent to autru(i) “others” (with -ui from Latin cui “to whom”; -l- restored from Latin alter “other”) + -isme -ism ( def. ); popularized through translation of A. Comte, who perhaps coined it, on the model of égoisme egoism ( def. )

Explanation

If you see a stranger getting beaten up on the playground and you rush in to rescue them, you have done something unselfish to help another person, otherwise known as an act of altruism. Use the noun altruism to refer to feelings or actions that show an unselfish concern for other people. In science, altruism refers to animal behavior that could be harmful to the animal itself but that contributes to the survival of the animal group. It's related to the adjective altruistic. Someone known for their altruism is an altruist.

Example Sentences

This had gone way beyond altruism, they thought.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

Identifying this selfless decision brain activity, in multiple people, strongly suggests that altruism is hardwired in our brains; that it evolved to make us take care of others.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

That raises the question: Is there any true altruism?

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025

But even for the most responsible issuers, stablecoins aren’t altruism; they’re deposits.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 28, 2025

The social insects, especially ants, have been sources of all kinds of parables, giving lessons in industry, interdependence, altruism, humility, frugality, patience.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

Related Words

• benevolence
• humanitarianism
• kindness
• selflessness