humanitarian
Americanadjective
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having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people.
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of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism.
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pertaining to the saving of human lives or to the alleviation of suffering.
a humanitarian crisis.
noun
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a person actively engaged in promoting human welfare and social reforms, as a philanthropist.
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a person who professes ethical or theological humanitarianism.
adjective
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having the interests of mankind at heart
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of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism
noun
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a philanthropist
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an adherent of humanitarianism
Other Word Forms
- antihumanitarian adjective
- semihumanitarian adjective
- unhumanitarian adjective
Etymology
Origin of humanitarian
First recorded in 1810–20; humanit(y) + -arian
Explanation
Despite many jokes to the contrary, a humanitarian is not someone who eats humans (as a vegetarian eats vegetables)! A humanitarian is a person concerned with the welfare of all humankind. A millionaire would be considered a great humanitarian if he donated much of his wealth for improving education, housing, and food for the poor. As an adjective, humanitarian is used to describe something or someone who displays the characteristics of someone concerned with human welfare: "The humanitarian project was developed to help women become self-sufficient in third world countries."
Vocabulary lists containing humanitarian
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Power Suffix: -arian
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Greer also observed that humanitarian groups were affected by restrictions on satellite images.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
Lakanwal, who worked with the CIA, entered the U.S. on humanitarian parole and had a special immigrant visa application under way.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
Above all, the current crisis could hit the costs of humanitarian aid and divert donor funds towards other priorities.
From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026
In the background of a bar, a poster for Roberto Rossellini’s earnest humanitarian classic “Europa ’51” is visible, Jude obviously paying homage to a classic story about a privileged woman’s crisis of charity.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
His fame was also due to his activism against the Vietnam War, his efforts to fight racism with his words, and his devotion to humanitarian causes around the world.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
