almoner

noun

al·​mo·​ner ˈal-mə-nər  ˈä-mə- 

1

: one who distributes alms

2

British : a social-service worker in a hospital

Examples of almoner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those who call asking for financial help are put through to the Vatican almoner’s office, which has provided aid recently to victims of war in Ukraine, floods in Brazil and homelessness in Naples in southern Italy. —Giovanna Dell’orto, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025

Under Francis' leadership, the role of almoner has been expanded to reflect his deep commitment to charity and aiding those in need. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025

The office of the almoner traditionally cares for the weak. —Gaia Pianigiani, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aumener, almoynere, borrowed from Anglo-French aumosner, aumoner (continental Old French almosnier "person receiving alms," aumosnier "person giving alms"), going back to Vulgar Latin *alimosinārius, altered from Late Latin elēmosynārius, from eleēmosyna "charitable gift, act of charity" (borrowed from Greek eleēmosýnē "pity, act of kindness, alms") + -ārius -ary entry 1 — more at eleemosynary

Note: The Late Latin word has been conformed to the vernacular form *alimosina —compare alms.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

almoner

noun

al·​mo·​ner ˈal-mə-nər  ˈäm-ə- 

: a person who gives out alms

Medical Definition

almoner

noun

al·​mon·​er ˈäm-ə-nər  ˈal-mə- 

British

: a social-service worker in a hospital