philanthropy

American  

[fi-lan-thruh-pee] / fɪˈlæn θrə pi /

noun

plural

philanthropies

1. 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.

2. the activity of donating to such persons or purposes in this way.

   to devote one's later years to philanthropy.

3. a particular act, form, or instance of this activity.

   The art museum was their favorite philanthropy.

4. an organization devoted to helping needy persons or to other socially useful purposes.

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philanthropy British  

/ ˈfɪlənˌθrəʊp, fɪˈlænθrəpɪ /

noun

1. the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions

2. love of mankind in general

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Other Word Forms

• philanthropist noun

Etymology

Origin of philanthropy

First recorded in 1600–10; earlier philanthropia, from Late Latin, from Greek philanthrōpía “benevolence, humane feeling”; phil-, anthropo-, -y ³

Example Sentences

His philanthropy included donations to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, according to his website.

From BBC

The American system of philanthropy is partly responsible for museums, hospitals, schools and relief for the country’s underprivileged.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Jafar is the U.A.E.’s special envoy for business and philanthropy and chief executive of Crescent Enterprises.

From The Wall Street Journal

Soon-Shiong said he considers outsiders’ suggestions, but the paper is “not a philanthropy.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The program is also supported by corporate philanthropy from Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Visa, Gap and others.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charity
• generosity