humanitarian
Americanadjective
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having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people.
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of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism.
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pertaining to the saving of human lives or to the alleviation of suffering.
a humanitarian crisis.
noun
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a person actively engaged in promoting human welfare and social reforms, as a philanthropist.
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a person who professes ethical or theological humanitarianism.
adjective
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having the interests of mankind at heart
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of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism
noun
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a philanthropist
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an adherent of humanitarianism
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of humanitarian
First recorded in 1810–20; humanit(y) + -arian
Explanation
Despite many jokes to the contrary, a humanitarian is not someone who eats humans (as a vegetarian eats vegetables)! A humanitarian is a person concerned with the welfare of all humankind. A millionaire would be considered a great humanitarian if he donated much of his wealth for improving education, housing, and food for the poor. As an adjective, humanitarian is used to describe something or someone who displays the characteristics of someone concerned with human welfare: "The humanitarian project was developed to help women become self-sufficient in third world countries."
Vocabulary lists containing humanitarian
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Power Suffix: -arian
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the IOM insisted the "humanitarian assistance to migrants" it provides is "strictly voluntary and based on informed consent."
From Barron's • Jul. 7, 2026
Among those who moved to the city is a humanitarian worker whom we have named Ahmed.
From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026
The White House did not respond to a request seeking comment on whether Trump would authorize humanitarian relief for Venezuelan immigrants.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026
It cited humanitarian grounds, but offered no further explanation or details on where she was being held.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 2026
Those who are fortunate enough to secure asylum status receive humanitarian aid and assistance with establishing a new life in Europe.
From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
