benefactor

noun

ben·​e·​fac·​tor ˈbe-nə-ˌfak-tər How to pronounce benefactor (audio)
: someone or something that provides help or an advantage : one that confers a benefit
a benefactor of humankind
especially : a person who makes a gift or bequest
His endowments … placed him high among the benefactors of the convent. Jane Austen
a wealthy benefactor

Did you know?

A benefactor may be involved in almost any field. One may endow a scholarship fund; another may give money to expand a library; still another may leave a generous sum to a hospital in her will. The famous benefactions of John D. Rockefeller included the gifts that established the University of Chicago, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Rockefeller University. Many benefactors have reported that giving away their money turned out to be the most rewarding thing they ever did.

Examples of benefactor in a Sentence

With the help of a rich benefactor he set up a charity. an anonymous benefactor gave the school a dozen new computers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the Ordway opened its doors in 1985, our chief benefactor and guiding spirit, Sally Ordway Irvine, had a vision to create a place where ALL the performing arts would be embraced and ALL members of the community would feel welcome. Christopher Harrington, Twin Cities, 29 May 2025 Lapid trades in indelicate satire for indelicate times — Y at one point literally and lavishly licks his wealthy benefactor’s gleaming knee-high boots — so these grisly verses at first seem a typically blunt caricature of Israeli nationalism at its most ruthless. Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 May 2025 The four Friendship Benches being installed at Dogwood Park represent a meaningful marker in the life of their benefactor, Phoenix Bridegroom. Phoenix, 19, decided to raise funds and have the benches built for her Gold Award project with the Girl Scouts. Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 In lieu of a thank-you, Michael waits until his benefactor’s guard is down, assaults him, then steals his watch and pawns it. Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for benefactor

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of benefactor was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Benefactor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benefactor. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

benefactor

noun
bene·​fac·​tor
ˈben-ə-ˌfak-tər
: one who helps another especially by giving money

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