benefit

1 of 2

noun

ben·​e·​fit ˈbe-nə-ˌfit 

1

a

: something that produces good or helpful results or effects or that promotes well-being : advantage

discounted prices and other benefits of a museum membership

The benefits outweigh the risks of taking the drug.

reaping the benefits of their hard work

changes that will be to your benefit

b

: useful aid : help

without the benefit of a lawyer

2

a

: financial help in time of sickness, old age, or unemployment

is on unemployment benefit

a disability benefit

a family on benefits

b

: a payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy

collecting his retirement benefits

c

: a service (such as health insurance) or right (as to take vacation time) provided by an employer in addition to wages or salary

The job doesn't pay much, but the benefits are good.

3

: an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or cause

holding a benefit to raise money for the school

4

archaic : an act of kindness : benefaction

benefit

2 of 2

verb

benefited ˈbe-nə-ˌfi-təd  also benefitted; benefiting also benefitting

transitive verb

: to be useful or profitable to

tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy

held a fund-raiser to benefit her campaign

intransitive verb

: to receive help or an advantage : to receive benefit

patients who will benefit from the drug

has benefited from his experiences in the military

benefiter

ˈbe-nə-ˌfi-tər 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• advantage
• asset

Verb

• help
• avail
• aid
• profit

Examples of benefit in a Sentence

Noun

the benefits of fresh air and sunshine

A benefit of museum membership is that purchases are discounted.

There are many financial benefits to owning your own home.

She is just now starting to reap the benefits of all her hard work.

The benefits of taking the drug outweigh its risks.

I see no benefit in changing the system now.

We're lucky to be able to get the full benefit of her knowledge.

He began collecting his retirement benefits when he was 65.

He began collecting his retirement benefit when he was 65.

The job doesn't pay much, but the benefits are good.

Verb

The new plan may benefit many students.

medicines that benefit thousands of people

The politician held a fund-raiser to benefit his campaign.

Some critics say that the tax cuts only benefit wealthy people.

He'll benefit by having experiences I never did.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This arguably demonstrates why the central bank is federally mandated to be independent, so that a major lever of the economy can be used for the long-term benefit of businesses and consumers as opposed to the whims of the Oval Office. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 24 June 2025

Private development, meanwhile, would add value through housing, infrastructure, and other productive enterprises, creating long-term benefits beyond today’s much more limited uses. —James Broughel, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025

Verb

Drake came to believe in most cases, clients with severe mental health challenges did not benefit from the extensive pre-employment training, counseling and evaluation. —Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

The New York Knicks were the first lottery winners, benefiting from a reach-and-grab that has been the subject of countless YouTube deep dives over the years. —Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 25 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French benfet, from Latin bene factum, from neuter of bene factus, past participle of bene facere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing benefit

• benefit of clergy
• child benefit
• cost-benefit
• death benefit
• for one's benefit
• for one's own benefit
• fringe benefit
• have the benefit of
• of benefit to
• sickness benefit
• the benefit of the doubt
• to one's benefit
• without (the) benefit of
• with the benefit of

Kids Definition

benefit

1 of 2 noun

ben·​e·​fit ˈben-ə-ˌfit 

1

a

: something that does good to a person or thing

the benefits of fresh air and sunshine

b

: useful aid : help

had to perform without the benefit of a rehearsal

2

a

: money paid at death or when sick, retired, or unemployed (as by an insurance company or public agency)

b

: something (as health insurance or vacation time) provided to a worker by an employer in addition to pay

3

: an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or cause

benefit

2 of 2 verb

benefited

-ˌfit-əd

also benefitted; benefiting also benefitting

1

: to be useful or profitable to

medicines that benefit all

2

: to receive benefit

I benefited from the experience

Etymology

Noun

Middle English benefet, benefit "good deed," derived from Latin bene factum (same meaning), from bene factus, past participle of bene facere "to do good," from bene "well" (akin to bonus "good") and facere "to do, make" — related to bonus, fashion

Legal Definition

benefit

noun

ben·​e·​fit

1

: something that provides an advantage or gain

specifically : an enhancement of property value, enjoyment of facilities, or increase in general prosperity arising from a public improvement

— general benefit

: a benefit to the community at large resulting from a public improvement

— special benefit

: a benefit from a public improvement that directly enhances the value of particular property and is not shared by the community at large

Note: In proceedings for a partial taking for the purpose of a public improvement, the condemning authority may use a special benefit to the remaining land as a set-off against the landowner's damages for the taking.

2

in the civil law of Louisiana : a right especially that serves to limit a person's liability

— benefit of discussion

: the right of a surety being sued to compel the suing creditor to sue the principal first

— benefit of division

: the right of a surety being sued to compel the suing creditor to also sue the cosureties

also : the right of the surety to be liable only for his or her proportionate share of the debt

— benefit of inventory

: the right of an heir to be held liable for the debts of the estate only to the extent of the assets in the estate

Note: The heir obtains the benefit of inventory by having a qualified public officer (as a notary public) make an inventory of the assets in the estate within the time period set by statute.

3

a

: financial help in time of disability, sickness, old age, or unemployment

b

: payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy see also death benefit

c

: fringe benefit

benefit verb