beneficence

[buh-nef-uh-suhns]

noun

1. the doing of good; active goodness or kindness; charity.

2. a beneficent act or gift; benefaction.

Other Word Forms

• nonbeneficence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of beneficence¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; French bénéficence, from Latin beneficentia; benefic, -ence

Example Sentences

All that brainpower would have been for naught, however, save for the beneficence of Uncle Sam.

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This is not, however, the result of cultural beneficence.

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Outside the foundation, her personal beneficence was vast and eclectic.

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Strictly speaking, though, Jackson’s words would also apply to an attempted bestowal of executive beneficence — such as loan forgiveness.

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Accountability is a process to ensure that each action promotes equity and beneficence.

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