humanitarian

[hyoo-man-i-tair-ee-uhn, yoo-]

adjective

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

2. of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism.

3. pertaining to the saving of human lives or to the alleviation of suffering.

   a humanitarian crisis.

noun

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

2. a person who professes ethical or theological humanitarianism.

humanitarian

/ hjuːˌmænɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. having the interests of mankind at heart

2. of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism

noun

1. a philanthropist

2. an adherent of humanitarianism

Other Word Forms

• antihumanitarian adjective
• semihumanitarian adjective
• unhumanitarian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of humanitarian¹

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

Related Words

• altruistic 
• charitable 
• humane 
• philanthropic