benefactor

noun

ben·​e·​fac·​tor ˈbe-nə-ˌfak-tər 

: someone or something that provides help or an advantage : one that confers a benefit

a benefactor of humankind

especially : a person who makes a gift or bequest

His endowments … placed him high among the benefactors of the convent.

—Jane Austen

a wealthy benefactor

Did you know?

A benefactor may be involved in almost any field. One may endow a scholarship fund; another may give money to expand a library; still another may leave a generous sum to a hospital in her will. The famous benefactions of John D. Rockefeller included the gifts that established the University of Chicago, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Rockefeller University. Many benefactors have reported that giving away their money turned out to be the most rewarding thing they ever did.

Synonyms

• angel
• donator
• donor
• fairy godmother
• Maecenas
• patron
• sugar daddy

Examples of benefactor in a Sentence

With the help of a rich benefactor he set up a charity.

an anonymous benefactor gave the school a dozen new computers

Recent Examples on the Web

After Biden attracted billionaires like Michael Bloomberg and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, Harris has already got the backing of at least 76 wealthy benefactors herself, including Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg and philanthropist Melinda French Gates. —Alison Durkee, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

This person could be a business partner, a benefactor, or a friend. —Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Oct. 2024

And that the balance is being absorbed by a benefactor? —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2024

Parents, grandparents or any generous relative or benefactor can set up a Roth IRA for a child. —Winnie Sun, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

benefactor

noun

bene·​fac·​tor

ˈben-ə-ˌfak-tər

: one who helps another especially by giving money