philanthropist

noun

phi·​lan·​thro·​pist fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pist How to pronounce philanthropist (audio)
: one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare : a person who practices philanthropy

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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
Recent Examples on the Web The talk show host and renowned philanthropist owns a vast art collection, including an array of masterworks by diverse artists such as oGustav Klimt, Richard Edward Miller, and Hovsep Pushman. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Celebrating the life of a Miami arts giant And on a somber note, Miami’s arts community will pay their respects to a legendary arts patron and philanthropist. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024 The honorees include distinguished educators, actors, authors, philanthropists, activists, CEOs and more. The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024 Jacob Rothschild, the banker and philanthropist who left the family bank to build his own financial empire in the City of London, has died. Tom Metcalf, Fortune Europe, 26 Feb. 2024 The university announced last week that Madison philanthropist and UW-Madison alumnus Jerry Frautschi ― husband of American Girl founder Pleasant Rowland ― donated $14.3 million to help build a 9,000-square-foot visitor and education center at the preserve. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024 The clincher was a series of individual gifts of $5 million each from the publisher of the L.A. Times, then-Mayor Richard Riordan (using his personal money to make what was at the time an anonymous donation) and philanthropist Eli Broad, who then took over the final fundraising. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2024 And in November, while Joe Biden was attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco, First Lady Jill Biden campaigned on her husband’s behalf at the Atherton home of philanthropists Doug and Lisa Goldman. Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2024 There, Diego Della Valle, president and CEO of the Tod’s Group, and Andrea Della Valle, vice President, welcomed models, movie stars, philanthropists, artists, and entrepreneurs. Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'philanthropist.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see philanthropy

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of philanthropist was circa 1736

Dictionary Entries Near philanthropist

Cite this Entry

“Philanthropist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/philanthropist. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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