plural benefits
1
: a good or helpful result or effect
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/enjoy 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/from her knowledge.
These changes will be of benefit to all of you. [=will help/benefit all of you]
These changes will be to your benefit. [=will help you]
I'm not doing it for myself; I'm doing it for your benefit. [=to help you; for your sake]
Since he owns the land, he thinks he should be free to use it for his own benefit. [=in a way that is helpful to him]
2
a
: money that is paid by a company (such as an insurance company) or by a government when someone dies, becomes sick, stops working, etc.
He began collecting his retirement benefits when he was 65.
a disability benefit
(Brit) a family on benefits [=(US) on welfare; receiving money from the government because of a low income or lack of income]
He began collecting his retirement benefit when he was 65.
(Brit) He is on housing/unemployment benefit.
b
: something extra (such as vacation time or health insurance) that is given by an employer to workers in addition to their regular pay : fringe benefit
The company provides health (insurance) benefits.
The job doesn't pay much, but the benefits are good.
—often used before another nouna company with a good benefit plan/package/program
3
: a social event to raise money for a person or cause
The school is having/holding a benefit to raise money for a new gymnasium.
a charity benefit
—often used before another nouna benefit concert/dinner/event/performance
benefits; benefited also benefitted; benefiting also benefitting
1
: to be useful or helpful to (someone or something)
The new plan may benefit many students.
medicines that benefit thousands of people
These changes will benefit all of you. = All of you will be benefited by these changes.
The politician held a fund-raiser to benefit his campaign.
Some critics say that the tax cuts only benefit wealthy people.
2
: to be helped
He'll benefit by having experiences I never did.
—often + fromI benefited from the experience.
Many patients will benefit from the new drug.
All of you will benefit from these changes.
Some critics say that only wealthy people will benefit from the tax cuts.
Cite this Entry
“Benefit.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/benefit. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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