Definition of BENEFACTORS (original) (raw)
: 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
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
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.
Burch even co-founded the Catholics for Trump coalition with prominent politicians, benefactors, and media influencers. —Liam Adams, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025 Edward Burke has become the latest Chicago Democrat to seek clemency from someone who, at first blush, would seem like an unlikely benefactor: Republican President Donald Trump. —Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025 But given that Musk seems disinclined to do so thus far, the first high-profile case of the SEC under a second Trump term may well turn out to be against his most important benefactor. —Brian Barrett, WIRED, 15 Jan. 2025 The building was once the home of Prospero Moisè Loria, a businessman, philanthropist and benefactor. —Sofia Celeste, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025 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 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 4 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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