benefactor

noun

ben·​e·​fac·​tor ˈbe-nə-ˌfak-tər How to pronounce benefactor (audio)
: 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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Her highest-paying benefactor is a man named Charles, the influencer tells PEOPLE. Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 For Tóth, a Hungarian Holocaust survivor who was well known for his work prior to the war, his madness is the construction of a community center to be named in honor of his benefactor’s late mother. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2024 The Mangione family also run a family foundation that has nearly $4.5 million in assets, and were longtime benefactors of Loyola University in Maryland, which named its aquatic center after them. Casey Tolan, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024 Social shares in support of Chef Duff’s display will benefit Believe In Tomorrow’s Children’s House at Johns Hopkins with Icing Smiles being the benefactor for Chef Ashley’s display. Lexi Harpster, Baltimore Sun, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for benefactor 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of benefactor was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near benefactor

Cite this Entry

“Benefactor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benefactor. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

benefactor

noun
bene·​fac·​tor
ˈben-ə-ˌfak-tər
: one who helps another especially by giving money

More from Merriam-Webster on benefactor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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