philanthropy
[fi-lan-thruh-pee]
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
generositycharitybenefactionassistancebeneficencedolefunddonationreliefalmscontributionaltruismendowmentgiftingExamples from the Web for philanthropy
Contemporary Examples
This huge transfer, the researchers believe, will usher in what they call “a golden age of philanthropy.”
Having worked in philanthropy myself, I can say that these figures are astounding.
Although he has been involved in philanthropy and civic affairs, McCormick has never run for office before.
Ronaldo also does more than the perfunctory share of philanthropy that we expect from our athletic superstars.
Why It’s Still OK to Hate Sexy Bastard Cristiano Ronaldo After He Saved Team USAEmily Shire
June 26, 2014
But it only looks like philanthropy: what Tesla really wants is for other car companies to be more like them.
Historical Examples
O that philosophy or philanthropy could but find it out and work it!
But now, when the stress came, all this philanthropy fell away.
In the ValleyHarold Frederic
There was something in these morsels of philanthropy which reassured the sisters.
Life And Adventures Of Martin ChuzzlewitCharles Dickens
But to call this ethics 'philanthropy' is the strangest of mistakes.
FreelandTheodor Hertzka
At any rate, I prefer to take it as philanthropy rather than fun.
In a Steamer Chair and Other StoriesRobert Barr
philanthropy
- the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions
- love of mankind in general
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for philanthropy
n.
c.1600, from Late Latin philanthropia, from Greek philanthropia "kindliness, humanity, benevolence, love to mankind" (from gods, men, or things), from philanthropos (adj.) "loving mankind, useful to man," from phil- "loving" (see philo-) + anthropos "mankind" (see anthropo-). Originally in English in the Late Latin form; modern spelling attested from 1620s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper