almsgiving

American  

[ahlmz-giv-ing, ahmz-] / ˈɑlmzˌgɪv ɪŋ, ˈɑmz- /

noun

almsgivings plural

1. the act of donating money, food, or other items to people in need of them, especially as a spiritual practice.

   Almsgiving helps us experience giving freely, which leads to freedom from the obsession with possessing, freedom from the fear of losing what we have.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• almsgivings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of almsgiving

alms + giving

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

almsgiving almsgivings

It concludes a 40-day period known as Lent, during which Christians focus on prayer, almsgiving, and practice traditions such as abstinence from eating meat on certain days.

From Barron's ● Apr. 2, 2026

We’re also supposed to practice almsgiving and assist those less fortunate than ourselves as a way of honoring Christ, who pointed out that giving so it costs you is the only way to give.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2026

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving, and pilgrimage.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 7, 2024

While in Mecca he spent lavishly, contributing some 100,000 gold pieces to charity and related almsgiving programs.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022

In one sense a thoroughly religious man, he practises all the virtues which he knows, almsgiving to the extent of self-denial, without distinction of creed, charity in word and deed, truth, purity, and justice.

From Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan, Volume I (of 2) Including a Summer in the Upper Karun Region and a Visit to the Nestorian Rayahs by Bird, Isabella L. (Isabella Lucy)

Not to his own good works, almsgivings, church-goings, church-buildings. 

From The Good News of God by Kingsley, Charles

Many songs deal directly with almsgivings, the ritual of pity.

From Essays in the Study of Folk-Songs (1886) by Martinengo-Cesaresco, Countess Evelyn

It prescribes prayers, almsgivings, fasting, pilgrimages, and ablutions, besides various rules to be observed in all the domestic and social relations.

From Life of Schamyl And Narrative of the Circassian War of Independence Against Russia by Mackie, John Milton