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philanthropy

[ fi-lan-thruh-pee ]
/ fɪˈlæn θrə pi /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR philanthropy

noun, plural phi·lan·thro·pies.

altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement, usually manifested by donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially useful purposes.
the activity of donating to such persons or purposes in this way: to devote one's later years to philanthropy.
a particular act, form, or instance of this activity: The art museum was their favorite philanthropy.
an organization devoted to helping needy persons or to other socially useful purposes.

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Origin of philanthropy

First recorded in 1600–10; earlier philanthropia, from Late Latin, from Greek philanthrōpía “benevolence, humane feeling”; see phil-, anthropo-, -y3

Words nearby philanthropy

Philae, philander, philanthropic, philanthropist, philanthropize, philanthropy, philately, Philby, -phile, Philem., philemaphobia
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to philanthropy

generosity, charity, benefaction, assistance, beneficence, dole, fund, donation, relief, alms, contribution, altruism, endowment, helping hand, gifting, good works

Example sentences from the Web for philanthropy

British Dictionary definitions for philanthropy

philanthropy
/ (fɪˈlænθrəpɪ) /

noun plural -pies

the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions
love of mankind in general

Derived forms of philanthropy

philanthropist or philanthrope (ˈfɪlənˌθrəʊp), noun

Word Origin for philanthropy

C17: from Late Latin philanthrōpia, from Greek: love of mankind, from philos loving + anthrōpos man
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