beneficial
adjective
ben·e·fi·cial
ˌbe-nə-ˈfi-shəl 
1
: producing good results or helpful effects : conferring benefits (see benefit entry 1 sense 1)
the beneficial effects of regular exercise
insects that are beneficial to your garden
2
: receiving or entitling one to receive advantage, use, or benefit
a beneficial owner of securities
a beneficial interest in an estate
beneficialness
noun
Examples of beneficial in a Sentence
He hopes the new drug will prove beneficial to many people.
Regular exercise has many beneficial health effects.
They have a relationship that is beneficial to both of them.
Some insects are harmful but others are beneficial.
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to a bounty of vegetables, fruits, flowers and interactive learning activities, there to meet them were cavorting goats, buzzing bees, beneficial garden creatures such as pill bugs and worms, and Howie the miniature Scottish Highland Cross steer who loves attention and animal crackers.
—
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
One key difference: Foreign financial assets that must be reported on the Form 8938 are only those assets in which the person has a beneficial ownership interest.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Even though baking can kill off some of the good bacteria from fermentation, the bread still keeps beneficial substances that may help fight inflammation and protect cells.
—Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
The 7 Best Compost Bins, Tested by BHG Why Compost Piles Smell
The composting process depends on aerobic bacteria and other beneficial microbes that thrive in an oxygen-rich environment.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for beneficial
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News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
One key difference: Foreign financial assets that must be reported on the Form 8938 are only those assets in which the person has a beneficial ownership interest.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Even though baking can kill off some of the good bacteria from fermentation, the bread still keeps beneficial substances that may help fight inflammation and protect cells.
—Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
The 7 Best Compost Bins, Tested by BHG Why Compost Piles Smell
The composting process depends on aerobic bacteria and other beneficial microbes that thrive in an oxygen-rich environment.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for beneficial
Cite this Entry
“Beneficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beneficial. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beneficial
adjective
ben·e·fi·cial
ˌben-ə-ˈfish-əl
: producing results that are good for health and happiness
beneficialness
noun
Legal Definition
beneficial
adjective
ben·e·fi·cial
ˌbe-nə-ˈfi-shəl
1
: providing benefits or advantages
2
: receiving or entitling one to receive an advantage, benefit, or use
a beneficial shareholder
a beneficial estate
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