benefactor

noun

ben·e·fac·tor | \ ˈbe-nə-ˌfak-tər

Definition of benefactor

: 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

Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about benefactor

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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

Federal rules permit groups structured as tax-exempt social welfare organizations to shield the identities of their benefactors. — Richard Lardner, The Seattle Times, "Pro-Kavanaugh group received millions from anonymous donors," 27 Nov. 2018 Then there was the example of the benefactor who helped a teenage Hannah Kearney cover her skiing expenses. — Isabel Fattal, The Atlantic, "How to Parent an Olympic Athlete," 8 Feb. 2018 Florida’s Space Coast will be one of the main benefactors of the emerging competition, DiBello said. — Marco Santana, OrlandoSentinel.com, "SpaceX test flight will mark new era, historian says," 21 Jan. 2018 In season 1, a group of Los Angeles teens learn that their parents have spent years regularly sacrificing runaway kids to their mysterious alien benefactor Jonah (Julian McMahon), in exchange for wealth and power. — Samantha Nelson, The Verge, "Season 2 of Runaways forges a bold new path — eventually," 21 Dec. 2018 But interest was muted as the U.S., like his previous benefactors in Germany, seemed only interested in the destructive capacity of his inventions. — Alex Hollings, Popular Mechanics, "The Saturn V Story: From Nazi Roots to America's Moon Rocket," 6 Feb. 2019 The municipalities need to make up the shortfall by increasing revenue through various taxes and additional pension contributions from benefactors. — WSJ, "Federal Reserve Should Leave Markets Alone," 15 Jan. 2019 With Harvey Weinstein gone, the Clintons needs some benefactor in Hollywood. — Fox News, "Ingraham: The defenders of lawlessness," 2 Aug. 2018 Kanye West has, for years, been the benefactor of a cult of personality willing to overlook or redirect the blame for his every misstep and offense. — Joshua Rivera, GQ, "Kanye West Is Giving His Most Radical Performance Yet," 1 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'benefactor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.