Humanitarian

ˌhjuːməniˈtɛəriən

nounmedium📊CommonGeneral
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A person actively engaged in promoting human welfare and social reform, especially as a benefactor.

ˌhjuːməniˈtɛəriən

nounpositivemedium
General

A person actively working to improve the lives of others, especially through charitable aid or reform.

The humanitarian established a foundation to provide education to underprivileged children.

💡 Simply: Imagine someone who always wants to help people, especially those who are suffering. They might donate money, volunteer their time, or work for organizations that help others. Like someone who brings food to a homeless shelter.

👶 For kids: Someone who helps people in need.

More Examples

2

She is a dedicated humanitarian, working tirelessly to improve living conditions in war-torn regions.

How It's Used

Politics

"The humanitarian offered assistance to refugees."

International Relations

"A humanitarian organization sent aid to the disaster area."

2

Concerned with or seeking to improve the welfare of people, especially through charitable means; benevolent.

ˌhjuːməniˈtɛəriən

adjectivepositivemedium
General

Concerned with or seeking to improve the welfare of people, especially through charitable means.

The organization provided humanitarian assistance to the refugees.

💡 Simply: Describing something that is about helping people, especially when they are suffering. Like when a group sends supplies to a place that has been hit by a hurricane or an earthquake.

👶 For kids: Something that helps people.

More Examples

2

They launched a humanitarian campaign to raise awareness about poverty.

How It's Used

Social Work

"The organization provides humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquake."

Politics

"The government is implementing humanitarian policies to address the crisis."

Tip:Relate it to human kindness and wanting the best for people.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

Humanitarian aid

Assistance given to people in need, usually in response to a disaster or crisis.

"The international community rushed to provide humanitarian aid after the tsunami."

Humanitarian crisis

A situation where human lives are threatened on a large scale, often caused by conflict, famine, or natural disasters.

"The ongoing war has created a severe humanitarian crisis."

From French *humanitaire*, from Latin *humanus* ('human'). The term gained prominence in the context of charitable efforts and international aid, particularly during and after the Crimean War and the founding of the Red Cross.

The term gained significant traction in the 19th century alongside the rise of international organizations aimed at alleviating human suffering, such as the Red Cross.

Memory tip

Think of a person with a 'human heart' who actively gives to charity.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"human, relating to human beings"

humanitarian aidhumanitarian crisishumanitarian effortshumanitarian organizationhumanitarian work

Common misspellings

humanatarianhumanitarianism

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written