First Known Use: circa 1623
Dictionary
philanthropy
noun phi·lan·thro·py \fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pē\
: the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for other people
plural phi·lan·thro·pies
Full Definition of PHILANTHROPY
1
: goodwill to fellow members of the human race; especially : active effort to promote human welfare
2
a : an act or gift done or made for humanitarian purposes b : an organization distributing or supported by funds set aside for humanitarian purposes
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Examples of PHILANTHROPY
- For many years, Microsoft has used corporate philanthropy to bring technology to people who can't get it otherwise, donating more than $3 billion in cash and software to try to bridge the digital divide. —Bill Gates, Time, 11 Aug. 2008
- Cooper, born in New York City in 1791, was himself an inventor and a hands-on industrialist, whose fortune got its start in the glue business, greatly expanded in the iron industry, eventually included more than half the telegraph lines in the United States, and was significantly invested in philanthropy and the cause of public education. —John Updike, New York Review of Books, 10 Aug. 2006
- In conditions of anarchy, a crude and violent order, based upon brute force and psychopathic ruthlessness, soon establishes itself, which regards philanthropy not as a friend but as an enemy and a threat. —Theodore Dalrymple, National Review, 26 Sept. 2005
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Origin of PHILANTHROPY
Late Latin philanthropia, from Greek philanthrōpia, from philanthrōpos loving people, from phil- + anthrōpos human being
Related to PHILANTHROPY
- Synonyms
- alms, benefaction, beneficence, charity, donation, contribution
- Antonyms
- cheapness, closeness, meanness, miserliness, parsimony, penuriousness, pinching, selfishness, stinginess, tightness, ungenerosity
PHILANTHROPY Defined for Kids
philanthropy
noun phi·lan·thro·py \fə-ˈlan-thrə-pē\
plural phi·lan·thro·pies
Definition of PHILANTHROPY for Kids
1
: desire and active effort to help other people
2
: something done or given to help needy people
3
: an organization giving or supported by charitable gifts
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