ben·e·fit
ˈbe-nə-ˌfit 
1
a
: something that produces good or helpful results or effects or that promotes well-being : advantage
discounted prices and other benefits of a museum membership
The benefits outweigh the risks of taking the drug.
reaping the benefits of their hard work
changes that will be to your benefit
b
: useful aid : help
without the benefit of a lawyer
2
a
: financial help in time of sickness, old age, or unemployment
is on unemployment benefit
a disability benefit
a family on benefits
b
: a payment or service provided for under an annuity, pension plan, or insurance policy
collecting his retirement benefits
c
: a service (such as health insurance) or right (as to take vacation time) provided by an employer in addition to wages or salary
The job doesn't pay much, but the benefits are good.
3
: an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or cause
holding a benefit to raise money for the school
4
archaic
: an act of kindness : benefaction
benefited
ˈbe-nə-ˌfi-təd
also benefitted; benefiting also benefitting
also benefitted; benefiting also benefitting
: to be useful or profitable to
tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthy
held a fund-raiser to benefit her campaign
: to receive help or an advantage : to receive benefit
patients who will benefit from the drug
has benefited from his experiences in the military
Synonyms
Examples of benefit in a Sentence
Noun
the benefits of fresh air and sunshine
A benefit of museum membership is that purchases are discounted.
There are many financial benefits to owning your own home.
She is just now starting to reap the benefits of all her hard work.
The benefits of taking the drug outweigh its risks.
I see no benefit in changing the system now.
We're lucky to be able to get the full benefit of her knowledge.
He began collecting his retirement benefits when he was 65.
He began collecting his retirement benefit when he was 65.
The job doesn't pay much, but the benefits are good.
Verb
The new plan may benefit many students.
medicines that benefit thousands of people
The politician held a fund-raiser to benefit his campaign.
Some critics say that the tax cuts only benefit wealthy people.
He'll benefit by having experiences I never did.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
The greatest benefit for waterfowl hunters in recent years is the evolution of truly lifelike decoy postures.
—Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Back up, be more introspective and consider how your skills, attributes and talents can benefit you.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for benefit 
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Noun
But the show ultimately weaponizes that claustrophobia to its benefit.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
The greatest benefit for waterfowl hunters in recent years is the evolution of truly lifelike decoy postures.
—Joe Arterburn, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
Verb
Quick-service restaurants have benefited from slower growth in labor costs, Square found.
—J.j. McCorvey, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Back up, be more introspective and consider how your skills, attributes and talents can benefit you.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for benefit
Dictionary Entries Near benefit
Cite this Entry
“Benefit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/benefit. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
benefit
1 of 2 noun
ben·e·fit
ˈben-ə-ˌfit
1
a
: something that does good to a person or thing
the benefits of fresh air and sunshine
b
: useful aid : help
had to perform without the benefit of a rehearsal
2
a
: money paid at death or when sick, retired, or unemployed (as by an insurance company or public agency)
b
: something (as health insurance or vacation time) provided to a worker by an employer in addition to pay
3
: an entertainment or social event to raise funds for a person or cause
benefit
2 of 2 verb
benefited
-ˌfit-əd
also benefitted; benefiting also benefitting
1
: to be useful or profitable to
medicines that benefit all
2
: to receive benefit
I benefited from the experience
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