benefaction

American  

[ben-uh-fak-shuhn, ben-uh-fak-] / ˈbɛn əˌfæk ʃən, ˌbɛn əˈfæk- /

noun

1. an act of conferring a benefit; the doing of good; a good deed.

   He is known throughout the region for his many benefactions.

2. the benefit conferred; charitable donation.

   to solicit benefactions for earthquake victims.

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benefaction British  

/ ˌbɛnɪˈfækʃən /

noun

1. the act of doing good, esp by giving a donation to charity

2. the donation or help given

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Etymology

Origin of benefaction

1655–65; < Late Latin benefactiōn- (stem of benefactiō ), equivalent to Latin bene bene- + fact ( us ) done ( fact ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

Benefaction is the act of being both extremely kind and very helpful. Your benefaction, volunteering every day and donating monthly, helps your local animal shelter immensely. Benefaction is the process or action of benefitting someone, particularly when you're motivated by kindness. When your neighbor is gravely ill and everyone on your street takes turns cooking meals for their family, that's a type of benefaction. Another way to use the word is to mean "donation." Your mom might appreciate it if you give a benefaction to her favorite charity instead of buying her a birthday gift this year.

Example Sentences

Calling himself a “venture philanthropist,” he expected his benefaction to bring more than a pat on the back and naming rights.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2021

We no longer have the luxury of altruism or world benefaction.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2016

Varenne had had a number of wealthy patrons and the cumulative result of their benefaction was her “perfectly furnished” apartment in the Marais section of Paris.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2014

But many disagreed, including Mark Twain, who called JM Barrie's story "a great and refining and uplifting benefaction to this sordid and money-mad age".

From The Guardian • Dec. 5, 2012

It also indicates enough interest in formal learning to make such a benefaction worthwhile—as opposed, say, to paying more dancers to paint themselves purple and dance on wine-soaked streets.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro