alms

American  

[ahmz] / ɑmz /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. money, food, or other donations given to people in need; anything given as charity.

   She showed her generosity by giving alms regularly.

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alms British  

/ ɑːmz /

plural noun

1. charitable donations of money or goods to the poor or needy

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Etymology

Origin of alms

First recorded before 1000; Middle English almes, almesse, Old English ælmesse (compare Old Saxon alamōsna, Old High German alamuosa, Dutch aalmoes; Old Spanish almosna ), ultimately derived from Late Latin eleēmosyna, from Greek eleēmosýnē “compassion, alms,” derivative of éleos “pity”; eleemosynary

Explanation

Alms are money, food, or similar items given to the poor as a charitable act. The word isn't used much today, but in movies set in the 1800s or earlier, you'll likely see street beggars shouting, "Alms for the poor!" The word alms comes from the Greek word eleemosyne, which means "compassion or pity," and is itself from the word eleos, which means "mercy." Related words include almshouse (a poorhouse), almsman (someone who receives charitable alms), and alms chest (a box in a church used for the purpose of collecting money for the poor). None of these words are very common today.

Example Sentences

In my view, there’s no contradiction because wearing ashes in public, unlike righteous acts of giving alms, fasting and praying in public, is a sign that we are sinners and in need of repentance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

L.A.-based alms would be directed toward the Catholic Education Foundation of Los Angeles, while New York dollars will head to the John Cardinal O’Connor School in Irvington, N.Y.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2024

Like giving alms, his congregants should give waqf, a kind of religious donation, to renewable energy.

From New York Times • Apr. 17, 2024

The royal cohort also carried with them gold-lined chests filled with silver and gold pieces to distribute as alms, cash worth thousands of rupees and 12,000 "dresses of honour".

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2024

He went everywhere begging alms with a copper dish.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez