humanitarian

noun

hu·​man·​i·​tar·​i·​an hyü-ˌma-nə-ˈter-ē-ən 

yü-

: a person promoting human welfare and social reform : philanthropist

recognized as a great humanitarian for her work to end world hunger

humanitarian adjective

humanitarianism

hyü-ˌma-nə-ˈter-ē-ə-ˌni-zəm 

yü-

noun

Examples of humanitarian in a Sentence

She has been recognized as a great humanitarian for her efforts to end world hunger.

Recent Examples on the Web

Courtesy of Anima Interactive Over the past year, Karla Reyes and her team at Anima Interactive have visited the US-Mexico border twice to interview migrants and humanitarians. —Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2025

For example, Manny Mota was a good player and has spent years as a Dodgers coach and a humanitarian. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025

In a few days, Jimmy Carter will be celebrated in a towering cathedral in Washington by fellow American presidents, noted humanitarians and other world leaders. —Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025

But Barkley is also known to be a generous humanitarian and person in general. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing humanitarian

• anti-humanitarian

Rhymes for humanitarian

• authoritarian
• communitarian
• disciplinarian
• egalitarian
• equalitarian
• majoritarian
• octogenarian
• parliamentarian
• radiolarian
• totalitarian
• utilitarian
• agrarian

Kids Definition

humanitarian

noun

hu·​man·​i·​tar·​i·​an hyü-ˌman-ə-ˈter-ē-ən 

yü-

: a person devoted to or working for the health and happiness of other people

humanitarian adjective

humanitarianism

-ē-ə-ˌniz-əm 

noun