noun
benefactor
BEN-ih-fak-ter/ˈbenɪfæktər/
A person who gives money or other help to someone or a cause.
The benefactor donates money to the community food pantry.
Etymology
A benefactor is literally someone who 'does well'—here, doing good for others. The word became especially associated with people who provide charitable financial support.
In context
If I can hit upon a workable scheme I shall play policeman and public benefactor, checkmate the dynamiters, save the girl and her father
More examples
- The museum thanks its benefactors at the opening.
- A local benefactor supplied meals after the flood.
- She became a benefactor of the scholarship program.
Forms
benefactor · benefactors