humanitarian

[ hyoo-man-i-tair-ee-uh n or, often, yoo- ]

/ hyuˌmæn ɪˈtɛər i ən or, often, yu- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR humanitarian ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people.

of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism.

pertaining to the saving of human lives or to the alleviation of suffering: a humanitarian crisis.

noun

a person actively engaged in promoting human welfare and social reforms, as a philanthropist.

a person who professes ethical or theological humanitarianism.

Nearby words

humane society, humanics, humanism, humanist, humanistic psychology, humanitarian, humanitarianism, humanities, humanity, humanize, humankind

Origin of humanitarian

First recorded in 1810–20; humanit(y) + -arian

Related forms

an·ti·hu·man·i·tar·i·an, adjective, nounsem·i·hu·man·i·tar·i·an, adjective, nounun·hu·man·i·tar·i·an, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for humanitarian

With the harsh Middle Eastern winter approaching fast, what people in Syria and Iraq need most, in fact, is humanitarian support.
Dutch Biker Gangs Vs. ISIS|Nadette De Visser, Christopher Dickey|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Humanitarian organizations had already pulled out, and French troops rushed in to extract the 15 foreigners left in the city.
‘Argo’ in the Congo: The Ghosts of the Stanleyville Hostage Crisis|Nina Strochlic|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The precious cargo: two American humanitarian workers with Ebola.
The American Ebola Rescue Plan Hinges on One Company. Meet Phoenix.|Abby Haglage|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The two American humanitarian workers infected with Ebola in Liberia were fighting for their lives.
The American Ebola Rescue Plan Hinges on One Company. Meet Phoenix.|Abby Haglage|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He hopes his humanitarian contributions will ultimately help prevent similar massacres in other parts of the world.
As 30-Year Anniversary of Mass Killings in India Arrives, Sikhs Find Safety in USA|Simran Jeet Singh|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We might almost say that he was a new type—a nineteenth century humanitarian and pacifist in an eighteenth century environment.
The Idea of Progress|J. B. Bury
The day of Romanticism was clearly over; but a return to the classic and humanitarian spirit of the 18th century was impossible.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 7|Various
I am opposed to anti-Semitism, not alone for humanitarian reasons, but as a matter of loyalty to America.
The Jew and American Ideals|John Spargo
Evangelical religion divides with rationalism the glory of more than one humanitarian struggle.
The Life of William Ewart Gladstone, Vol. 1 (of 3)|John Morley
The work done by these humanitarian institutions is most practical, and the best evidence of the practicality is their growth.
The New Glutton or Epicure|Horace Fletcher

British Dictionary definitions for humanitarian

humanitarian

/ (hjuːˌmænɪˈtɛərɪən) /

adjective

having the interests of mankind at heart

of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism

noun

a philanthropist

an adherent of humanitarianism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

humanitarian

adjective

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of humanitarian

Related forms

Examples from the Web for humanitarian

British Dictionary definitions for humanitarian

humanitarian

adjective

noun