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humanitarian

[ hyoo-man-i-tair-ee-uhn or, often, yoo- ]
/ hyuˌmæn ɪˈtɛər i ən or, often, yu- /
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adjective
having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people.
of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism.
pertaining to the saving of human lives or to the alleviation of suffering: a humanitarian crisis.
noun
a person actively engaged in promoting human welfare and social reforms, as a philanthropist.
a person who professes ethical or theological humanitarianism.
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Origin of humanitarian

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

OTHER WORDS FROM humanitarian

an·ti·hu·man·i·tar·i·an, adjective, nounsem·i·hu·man·i·tar·i·an, adjective, nounun·hu·man·i·tar·i·an, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for humanitarian

humanitarian
/ (hjuːˌmænɪˈtɛərɪən) /

adjective
having the interests of mankind at heart
of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism
noun
a philanthropist
an adherent of humanitarianism
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
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