ScienceJuly 7, 2026
philanthropist
/fəˈlænθrəpɪst/
Definition
A wealthy individual who donates money to support charitable, social, or scientific causes.
Etymology
The word originates from the Greek 'philanthrōpos,' meaning 'loving mankind.' It combines 'philo-' (loving) and 'anthrōpos' (human), entering English in the 17th century to describe people dedicated to promoting the welfare of others.
In the news
In this article, researchers seeking to revive a defunded climate science website had to court philanthropists to secure the necessary financial backing for their project. It highlights the reliance on private funding to sustain critical scientific work when government support is withdrawn.
The plan to make climate science harder to erase
Read the full article ↗Grist