philanthropist
noun
phi·lan·thro·pist
fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pist 
: one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare : a person who practices philanthropy
Did you know?
The Greek root of philanthropy may be literally translated as "loving people." The English word can refer to general goodwill to one's fellow people, as well as to the active effort to promote the welfare of people, but in modern use it is most often used to refer specifically to the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for others. A person who practices philanthropy is called a philanthropist; the term philanthrope was formerly used with the same meaning, but it is now considered archaic.
Examples of philanthropist in a Sentence
Among his converts was Arthur Tappan, a New York textile merchant and philanthropist who sheltered and guided the development of the antislavery movement through its long early years by dint of sheer openhandedness.
—
Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005
John D. was indisputably a great philanthropist. He took care of his family first, of course; but he founded the University of Chicago in 1892, the Rockefeller Institute (now Rockefeller University) in 1901, and the Rockefeller Foundation in 1911, and made other substantial gifts along the way.
—Robert M. Solow, New Republic, 23 Dec. 2002
You had to admire it and admire the man, who sat now like a benign locust, his slender insectile body swamped in a black leather chair, leaning over the desk, all smiles, a parasite disguised as a philanthropist.
—Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2000
… a hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist in Hartsdale named Henry J. Gaisman donated two and a quarter million dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the landmark.
—Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991
Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005
John D. was indisputably a great philanthropist. He took care of his family first, of course; but he founded the University of Chicago in 1892, the Rockefeller Institute (now Rockefeller University) in 1901, and the Rockefeller Foundation in 1911, and made other substantial gifts along the way.
—Robert M. Solow, New Republic, 23 Dec. 2002
You had to admire it and admire the man, who sat now like a benign locust, his slender insectile body swamped in a black leather chair, leaning over the desk, all smiles, a parasite disguised as a philanthropist.
—Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2000
… a hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist in Hartsdale named Henry J. Gaisman donated two and a quarter million dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the landmark.
—Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991
Recent Examples on the Web
The Amazon founder shares three sons and one daughter with his ex-wife, philanthropist and novelist MacKenzie Scott.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 21 June 2026
Tusk is a venture capitalist, political strategist and philanthropist.
—Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026
As a philanthropist, mother, sister, aunt, wife, and executive, she is constantly pulled in different directions.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 June 2026
If local business leaders, donors, and philanthropists are serious about strengthening Connecticut’s economy, the commission is an opportunity to step up alongside the public sector and help shape a system that reflects today and tomorrow’s workforce realities.
—Dr. Gisele C. Shorter, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for philanthropist
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Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 21 June 2026
Tusk is a venture capitalist, political strategist and philanthropist.
—Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026
As a philanthropist, mother, sister, aunt, wife, and executive, she is constantly pulled in different directions.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 June 2026
If local business leaders, donors, and philanthropists are serious about strengthening Connecticut’s economy, the commission is an opportunity to step up alongside the public sector and help shape a system that reflects today and tomorrow’s workforce realities.
—Dr. Gisele C. Shorter, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for philanthropist
Cite this Entry
“Philanthropist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/philanthropist. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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