beneficence

American  

[buh-nef-uh-suhns] / bəˈnɛf ə səns /

noun

1. the doing of good; active goodness or kindness; charity.

2. a beneficent act or gift; benefaction.

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beneficence British  

/ bɪˈnɛfɪsəns /

noun

1. the act of doing good; kindness

2. a charitable act or gift

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Other Word Forms

• nonbeneficence
  noun

Etymology

Origin of beneficence

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; French bénéficence, from Latin beneficentia; see benefic, -ence

Explanation

If you show someone kindness or generosity, that's beneficence like when you shovel a neighbor's sidewalk or mow their lawn just to help out, no strings attached. Beneficence comes from the Latin word benefactum, meaning "good deed." That's exactly what beneficence is — helping someone just because you care, not because you want to be praised for being nice. Giving your time, skills, or even a donation of money or items shows beneficence. This word can also describe the character of a person who is helpful, caring, and compassionate.

Example Sentences

All that brainpower would have been for naught, however, save for the beneficence of Uncle Sam.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2025

For the moral physician, beneficence must always exceed maleficence.

From Slate • Aug. 20, 2024

Outside the foundation, her personal beneficence was vast and eclectic.

From New York Times • Jul. 16, 2022

There are four main ethical principles that can guide our thinking whenever faced with ethical issues in physician and patient or researcher and participant relationships, namely the principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

Erwin’s beneficence, however, did not silence the rising critics of a system that traded informal “favors” for complete submission to the owner’s authority.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson