Samaritan

noun

Sa·​mar·​i·​tan sə-ˈmer-ə-tən 

1

: a native or inhabitant of Samaria

2

[from the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–37] : a person who is generous in helping those in distress

samaritan adjective often capitalized

Examples of Samaritan in a Sentence

A Samaritan called a tow truck for us.

Recent Examples on the Web

Loading your audio article Two people were arrested on drug and other charges following a motor vehicle stop on Wednesday in East Haven where police said one suspect was apprehended with the help of a good Samaritan and the other was found hiding in a supermarket. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025

Lying on the ground, Sherman managed to call 911 before a Good Samaritan found her and also called for help. —Kc Baker, People.com, 5 May 2025

The findings were based on a blood sample taken from Read at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, Massachusetts. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 5 May 2025

The Samaritan Resource Center is a drop-in center that provides help with government documents, finding jobs, getting medical care, and providing services like showers, laundry, and a supply pantry for people in need in the eastern part of the county. —Mike Valente, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin samaritanus, noun & adjective, from Greek samaritēs inhabitant of Samaria, from Samaria

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Samaritan

• Good Samaritan

Rhymes for Samaritan

• cytokeratin
• ferritin
• keratin