benefit

ben·e·fit | \ ˈbe-nə-ˌfit

How to pronounce benefit (audio)

\

Definition of benefit

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

2a : 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

benefited\ ˈbe-nə-ˌfi-təd

How to pronounce benefited (audio)

\ also benefitted; benefiting also benefitting

Definition of benefit (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from benefit Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about benefit

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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 Consider this, with the benefit of hindsight: The 2000 election will always be remembered for the 537 votes that divided Al Gore and George W. Bush in Florida, which were worth 25 electoral votes at the time. — Time, "The High-Risk Strategy That Could Hand Democrats the White House," 17 Sep. 2019 The Beer Can House was acquired by The Orange Show for Visionary Art, a non-profit foundation focused on preserving out-of-the-box creations like Milkovisch’s impressive nod to the benefits of recycling, after his wife's death in 2002. — Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, "From Bottles to Newspapers, These Five Homes Were Built Using Everyday Objects," 17 Sep. 2019 With the benefit of some added seasoning at Triple-A Toledo this season, Reyes has roundly improved. — Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers' Harold Castro, Victor Reyes proving themselves for roster spots in 2020," 16 Sep. 2019 The Tide got into the bracket because of the ‘Bama Bump, the benefit of the doubt earned by the Crimson Tide during a decade of dominance. — George Schroeder, USA TODAY, "Can anyone beat Clemson? It's unlikely as the ACC continues to scuffle this season," 15 Sep. 2019 Asia Inc has yet fully to appreciate the benefits of an MBA education. — The Economist, "Masters of Business in Asia," 15 Sep. 2019 Police, who sometimes face life-or-death situations without the training to talk someone off the ledge, saw the benefit of shifting that burden elsewhere. — oregonlive, "Portland aims to dispatch better first responders for homelessness calls," 14 Sep. 2019 Testimonials from their patients support the health benefits of a vegan diet. — BostonGlobe.com, "Letters to the editor of the Boston Globe Magazine - The Boston Globe," 14 Sep. 2019 The festival will also include games, live music and wellness experts who can educate interested parties in the health benefits of the substances. — Hallie Miller, baltimoresun.com, "Power Plant Live! to hold ‘CBD-inspired’ food festival amid questions of substance’s legality," 13 Sep. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Meghan, 38, stepped out last week for her first solo engagement since welcoming son Archie, the launch of her capsule collection benefiting her patronage, Smart Works. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, "Meghan Markle Has 'Absolutely No Plans' to Relaunch The Tig Despite Renewing Trademark: Source," 16 Sep. 2019 Proceeds from the Heroes Run benefit the West Park Cleveland Police and Fire Fighter Memorial Scholarship Fund. — Carol Kovach, cleveland.com, "Heroes Run recognizes fallen police, firefighters; awards scholarships," 16 Sep. 2019 However, to date, there is no evidence that Chief Carnesale benefited financially from engaging NEB. — Stephen Hudak, orlandosentinel.com, "Apopka probe of fire chief ‘inconclusive and...essentially moot’," 13 Sep. 2019 Forecasts predict this trend to continue into 2019. While there are still questions about the safety and efficacy of these products, a growing number of professionals and pet owners are becoming curious about how CBD can benefit our furry friends. — Ashlee Nolan, chicagotribune.com, "The truth about CBD for your pets," 12 Sep. 2019 The review comes as House Democrats have stepped up scrutiny of whether Trump is improperly benefiting financially from government funds flowing to his family's properties, including Turnberry. — John Wagner, Anchorage Daily News, "Air Force says it will review guidelines amid scrutiny of military stops at Trump property in Scotland," 9 Sep. 2019 But for a conference that desperately needs its brand programs to regain relevance in football and men’s basketball, signs of life from USC will only benefit the collective. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, "Saturday Night Five: USC rolls, UCLA rolls over, Colorado’s comeback, Cal’s upset and more," 8 Sep. 2019 But for a conference that desperately needs its brand programs to regain relevance in football and men’s basketball, signs of life from USC will only benefit the collective. — Jon Wilner, The Denver Post, "Pac-12 football Week 2 recap: USC rolls, UCLA rolls over, Colorado’s comeback, Cal’s upset and more," 8 Sep. 2019 Proceeds will benefit the Germantown Police Department's K-9 unit. — Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Meet the 3-year-old girl who is selling lemonade to raise money for Germantown's K-9 unit," 6 Sep. 2019

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

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More Definitions for benefit

benefit

noun

English Language Learners Definition of benefit

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a good or helpful result or effect

: money that is paid by a company (such as an insurance company) or by a government when someone dies, becomes sick, stops working, etc.

: something extra (such as vacation time or health insurance) that is given by an employer to workers in addition to their regular pay

benefit

verb

English Language Learners Definition of benefit (Entry 2 of 2)

: to be useful or helpful to (someone or something)

: to be helped

See the full definition for benefit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

benefit

ben·e·fit | \ ˈbe-nə-ˌfit

\

Kids Definition of benefit

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a good or helpful result or effect the benefits of fresh air

2 : useful assistance : help … he is an orphan whom I raised myself without benefit of governess …— Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

3 : money paid in time of death, sickness, or unemployment or in old age (as by an insurance company)

benefit

benefited; benefiting

Kids Definition of benefit (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to be useful or profitable to The changes will benefit everyone.

2 : to be helped He'll benefit from new experiences.

benefit

ben·e·fit

Legal Definition of benefit

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.

3a : 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

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a calculated move

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