humanitarian

[ hyoo-man-i-tair-ee-uh n or, often, yoo- ]
/ hyuˌmæn ɪˈtɛər i ən or, often, yu- /

adjective

having concern for or helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people.
of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism.
pertaining to the saving of human lives or to the alleviation of suffering: a humanitarian crisis.

noun

a person actively engaged in promoting human welfare and social reforms, as a philanthropist.
a person who professes ethical or theological humanitarianism.

Origin of humanitarian

First recorded in 1810–20; humanit(y) + -arian

OTHER WORDS FROM humanitarian

an·ti·hu·man·i·tar·i·an, adjective, noun sem·i·hu·man·i·tar·i·an, adjective, noun un·hu·man·i·tar·i·an, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for humanitarian

British Dictionary definitions for humanitarian

humanitarian
/ (hjuːˌmænɪˈtɛərɪən) /

adjective

having the interests of mankind at heart
of or relating to ethical or theological humanitarianism

noun

a philanthropist
an adherent of humanitarianism