humanitarian

American  

[hyoo-man-i-tair-ee-uhn, yoo-] / hjuˌmæn ɪˈtɛər i ən, ju- /

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.

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noun

• humanitarians
  plural

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 British  

/ hjuːˌmænɪˈtɛərɪən /

adjective

1. having the interests of mankind at heart

2. of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism

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noun

1. a philanthropist

2. an adherent of humanitarianism

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antihumanitarian
  adjective
• semihumanitarian
  adjective
• unhumanitarian
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• humanitarians
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of humanitarian

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

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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."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

humanitarian humanitarians

"The enemy used the humanitarian pause to set up their positions," said Ukraine's General Staff, adding they had recorded rotation of Russian units, expansion of anti-drone equipment on the roads, and delivery of ammunition.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026

Around 2,000 residents -- compared with 24,000 before Russia's 2022 invasion -- were still in Oleshky ahead of the humanitarian operation, according to Kyiv's estimates.

From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2026

Around 2,000 residents, compared with 24,000 before the Russian invasion, were still in Oleshky ahead of the humanitarian operation, according to Kyiv's estimates.

From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2026

"At the same time, those who decide to remain will be able to stay and will receive all the necessary humanitarian assistance."

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

Politically, he was a humanitarian who did know right from left and was trapped uncomfortably between the two.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

He worked alongside activists and humanitarians , externalin Czechoslovakia to navigate complex political obstacles, such as getting children to Britain through the Netherlands, which had closed its borders to Jewish refugees.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

One project uses AI analysis of anonymised mobile phone data to spot mass-population movements during disasters, determining where people are fleeing, to help humanitarians better tailor their response.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

But thank God we have humanitarians like Jeff and Janine Yass who still believe in lifting them up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026

By early January, humanitarians were preparing to expand operations.

From Salon ● Dec. 16, 2025

Do we find an Einstein, a Schweitzer, a Picasso; outstanding scientists, humanitarians, the great writers, artists and musicians of our day?

From Status Quo by Mack Reynolds

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Related Words

• altruistic
• charitable
• humane
• philanthropic

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