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

Example Sentences

The graphics outlined how Musk’s fortune could be used for humanitarian initiatives, such as ending world hunger or rebuilding war-torn regions, instead of remaining concentrated in private hands.

Read more on Salon

The new framework also addresses humanitarian access, the return of displaced people and protection of the judiciary, Boulous is quoted as saying by the AFP agency.

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"The conflict in Sudan, the humanitarian side of this conflict, is the world's biggest humanitarian crisis today, and the world's biggest humanitarian catastrophe," Boulos told AFP in an interview in Doha.

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More than half of Sudan's population is in need of humanitarian aid, the head of the Danish Refugee Council told AFP, as fighting ravages the northeast African nation.

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The government pointed the BBC to its previous settlement, in 1992, which it said was done for "humanitarian" reasons and did not accept legal liability.

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Related Words

• altruistic 
• charitable 
• humane 
• philanthropic