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 (opposed to 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

Derived Forms

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

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

His research ranged from the evolutionary dimension of human altruism to the logic of deceit and self-deception.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

It’s used to describe when a community is bound by a crisis, and during this time, it can lead to extreme acts of altruism and kindness that aren’t usually seen in non-crisis times.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2026

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

From MarketWatch • Oct. 28, 2025

I was grateful, but knew the authorities had not granted permission out of altruism: they were reading our letters, hoping to glean some information that would assist their case against Winnie.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• benevolence
• humanitarianism
• kindness
• selflessness