PHILANTHROPY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does philanthropy mean? 

• PHILANTHROPY (noun)
  The noun PHILANTHROPY has 1 sense:

1. voluntary promotion of human welfare

  Familiarity information: PHILANTHROPY used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PHILANTHROPY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Voluntary promotion of human welfare

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

philanthropic gift; philanthropy

Hypernyms ("philanthropy" is a kind of...):

aid; assistance; economic aid; economic assistance; financial aid; financial assistance (gift of money or other material help to support a person or cause)

Derivation:

philanthropic (of or relating to or characterized by philanthropy)

philanthropist (someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being)

 Context examples 

Then he studied the deep-lined face of the toil-worn woman before him, remembered her soups and loaves of new baking, and felt spring up in him the warmest gratitude and philanthropy.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Won in youth to religion, she has cultivated my original qualities thus:—From the minute germ, natural affection, she has developed the overshadowing tree, philanthropy.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I believe you, St. John; for I am sure you are incapable of wishing any one ill; but, as I am your kinswoman, I should desire somewhat more of affection than that sort of general philanthropy you extend to mere strangers.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)