benefit
something that is advantageous or good; an advantage: He explained the benefits of public ownership of the postal system.
a payment or gift, as one made to help someone or given by an employer, an insurance company, or a public agency: The company offers its employees a pension plan, free health insurance, and other benefits.
a theatrical performance or other public entertainment to raise money for a charitable organization or cause.
Archaic. an act of kindness; good deed; benefaction.
to do good to; be of service to: a health program to benefit everyone.
to derive benefit or advantage; profit; make improvement: He has never benefited from all that experience.
Idioms about benefit
for someone's benefit, so as to produce a desired effect in another's mind: He wasn't really angry; that was just an act for his girlfriend's benefit.
Origin of benefit
1Other words for benefit
Other words from benefit
- ben·e·fit·er, ben·e·fit·ter, noun
- pre·ben·e·fit, verb, pre·ben·e·fit·ed or pre·ben·e·fit·ted, pre·ben·e·fit·ing or pre·ben·e·fit·ting.
- self-ben·e·fit, noun
- self-ben·e·fit·ing, self-ben·e·fit·ting, adjective
- su·per·ben·e·fit, noun
- un·ben·e·fit·ed, un·ben·e·fit·ted, adjective
- un·ben·e·fit·ing, un·ben·e·fit·ting, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use benefit in a sentence
From a utilitarian’s standpoint, for example, whichever proposal will do the best job at maximizing benefit and limiting harm to all people is the best approach.
Who should get the Covid-19 vaccine first? Ethicists are fiercely debating how to vaccinate billions of people. | Sigal Samuel | November 20, 2020 | VoxBoth are guided by concerns about ethics, fairness, maximizing benefits, building trust and the greater public good.
The government has agreed to pay injury compensation benefits to nearly 3,500 federal employees on grounds that they contracted the novel coronavirus while at work, and has granted death benefits to survivors of 14 employees for that reason.
Nearly 3,500 federal workers to get benefits for contracting the coronavirus at work | Eric Yoder | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostBoth are guided by concerns about ethics, fairness, maximizing benefits, building trust, and the greater public good.
These projects show clear returns on investment and benefits.
The promise of the fourth industrial revolution | Jason Sparapani | November 19, 2020 | MIT Technology Review
The Royal Family has benefited hugely from the American blood in its veins.
The Real-Life ‘Downton’ Millionairesses Who Changed Britain | Tim Teeman | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd ISIS no doubt has greatly benefited from the sorry condition of the present Iraqi army.
Perry has also benefited from the fact that the national media—the right-wing and the left-wing—seem to be in his corner.
Vote for the (Alleged) Crooks! How Rick Perry, Chris Christie, and Scott Walker are Running While Under Investigation | Olivia Nuzzi | August 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRunaway corporations benefited from those policies but want U.S. companies to pay their share of the tab.
The Democrats Have Found a New Boogeyman, and It’s Burger King | Tim Mak | August 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTIt subsequently emerged that Urdangarín benefited from millions of euro in Balearic government contracts awarded without bids.
In Ireland they have palpably and greatly benefited every class but the stockholders, and these they have well nigh ruined.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyLancashire and Cheshire had benefited much by Irish yarn, 4,000 hands being employed in weaving it at Manchester alone.
Ireland Under the Tudors, Vol. II (of 3) | Richard BagwellAll felt that he had not only benefited England by these great measures, but all the world.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. NolanGive my love to Minnie, who, I hope, has benefited by the sea-breezes; and best regards to the doctor.
A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3) | Frances Eleanor TrollopeA man of fine courage, simplicity, and passing honest, he was incapable of suspecting a tried friend whom he had benefited.
Florence and Northern Tuscany with Genoa | Edward Hutton
British Dictionary definitions for benefit
/ (ˈbɛnɪfɪt) /
something that improves or promotes
advantage or sake: this is for your benefit
British
an allowance paid by the government as for sickness, unemployment, etc, to which a person is entitled under social security or the national insurance scheme
any similar allowance in various other countries
(sometimes plural) a payment or series of payments made by an institution, such as an insurance company or trade union, to a person who is ill, unemployed, etc
a theatrical performance, sports event, etc, to raise money for a charity
to do or receive good; profit
Origin of benefit
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with benefit
see give the benefit.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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