charity
n. C / Un. an organization that collects money or goods to help people in need. It can also mean the act of giving money or being kind to others.
n. an organization set up to provide help and raise money for those in need; also, the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in distress.
She gives money to a local charity every month.
The school organized a bake sale to raise funds for a children's charity in the city.
While the gala was a social success, its primary purpose remained the support of a global charity dedicated to eradicating waterborne diseases in developing nations.
From charity in the Biblical sense of Christian love; first used by Puritans. In early Christian tradition, Faith, Hope and Charity were the martyred daughters of Saint Sophia. The names, taken from 1 Corinthians 13:13 ("And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity") have been translated and used in many languages. The name of the sura (chapter) is one of several translations of the original Arabic.
Countable when referring to a specific organization; uncountable when referring to the abstract concept of giving or kindness.
- 01
charity begins at home
One should help the people closest to oneself before thinking of helping others.
- 02
charity mugger
A person employed by a charity, or by an intermediary fundraising agency employed by the charity, who stands in the street and invites passersby to set up standing orders or direct debits to make regular donations to the charity.