benefactress

noun

ben·​e·​fac·​tress ˈbe-nə-ˌfak-tris How to pronounce benefactress (audio)
: a woman who is a benefactor

Examples of benefactress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web An ugly home break-in scene leaves her bereft of a benefactress, as well as her own (missing but presumably still alive) beloved dog, Diego. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 May 2023 She’s reunited with the local company’s benefactress, and her own first mentor and supporter, Winnie Flato. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 18 June 2021 Ross resigned, at Stanford’s behest and amid great scandal, forcing Jordan to take the blame for the decision and defend his benefactress in order to save the university’s reputation. Maia Silber, The New Yorker, 30 May 2022 Christian Temperance Union leader Frances Willard and millionaire benefactress Alva Belmont. Lila Thulin, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2020 Ragan had served as benefactress to his predecessor, and her money helped make Rosenberger the youngest House speaker in the nation. Chrissie Thompson, Cincinnati.com, 9 June 2018 Looking for an alternative, Batchelder and Ragan – the statesman's longtime friend and benefactress – considered Rosenberger. Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati.com, 23 Apr. 2018 Leading the festival last weekend was not Jurowski, but the amiable Stéphane Denève, whose longtime friend Wilmington philanthropist Tatiana Copeland was its benefactress. Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, 1 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'benefactress.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of benefactress was in 1711

Dictionary Entries Near benefactress

Cite this Entry

“Benefactress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benefactress. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

benefactress

noun
bene·​fac·​tress
ˈben-ə-ˌfak-trəs
: a woman who is a benefactor

More from Merriam-Webster on benefactress

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!