betterment

noun

bet·​ter·​ment ˈbe-tər-mənt How to pronounce betterment (audio)
1
: a making or becoming better
2
: an improvement that adds to the value of a property or facility

Examples of betterment in a Sentence

working for the betterment of the lives of working people
Recent Examples on the Web No Please list your highlights of civic involvement Long time member of multiple civic organizations whose sole purpose is for the betterment of the lives of Men / Women / and more especially children of Gaston County and surrounding communities. Charlotte Observer, 29 Feb. 2024 Shelli Brunswick, is CEO & Founder of SB Global LLC and an international keynote speaker on tech used for the betterment of humanity. Shelli Brunswick, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 Beyond the committee, the board can actively engage in joint initiatives and share resources to foster a culture of collaboration for the betterment of the state and its residents. Charlotte Observer, 8 Feb. 2024 Just as their relationship has stood the test of time, so has their commitment to fighting for the betterment of humanity. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 Feb. 2024 There aren’t many events with causes that have statements like this to be made, especially for the betterment of mankind. Allyson Portee, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Feb. 2024 Trust it, as doing so is for the betterment of you and your family. Lia Miller, Essence, 25 Jan. 2024 The strength of our community lies in our collective voice, and your input will guide us in making informed decisions for the betterment of our city. Yan Zhao, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2024 The focus was on managing the city for the betterment of residents, not on culture wars. Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'betterment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

better entry 2 + -ment

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of betterment was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near betterment

Cite this Entry

“Betterment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betterment. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

betterment

noun
bet·​ter·​ment ˈbet-ər-mənt How to pronounce betterment (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on betterment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!