philanthropy

American  

[fi-lan-thruh-pee] / fɪˈlæn θrə pi /

noun

plural

philanthropies

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.

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philanthropy British  

/ ˈfɪlənˌθrəʊp, fɪˈlænθrəpɪ /

noun

1. the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions

2. love of mankind in general

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Other Word Forms

• philanthropist noun

Etymology

Origin of philanthropy

First recorded in 1600–10; earlier philanthropia, from Late Latin, from Greek philanthrōpía “benevolence, humane feeling”; phil-, anthropo-, -y ³

Example Sentences

Elizabeth has been at the Journal for more than 20 years and has previously covered higher education, philanthropy, psychology and religion at the paper, all areas in which personal relationships loom large.

From The Wall Street Journal

“So I was never in the room with him socially, for business or even philanthropy. That guy was there, I wasn’t going because he’s gross.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Gates has said he met with Epstein to discuss philanthropy and it was a mistake.

From The Wall Street Journal

The billionaire said he met to discuss philanthropy and it was a mistake.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Brentwood resident has been heavily focused on philanthropy, serving as chair of the nonprofit 1P.org, which is a charitable foundation that provides funding to other nonprofit groups.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charity
• generosity