# humanitarian

/ˌhjuˌmænəˈtɛɹiən/ (US) · /hjˌuːmɐnɪtˈeəɹiən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/humanitarian
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. helping people in need

adjective · CEFR B2

connected with helping people who are suffering and improving their lives.

For teachers: concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare, particularly in the context of alleviating suffering during crises.

- The government sent humanitarian aid to the families affected by the earthquake.
- International agencies are calling for a humanitarian corridor to ensure that food and medical supplies reach the besieged city safely.

### 3. religious belief

adjective · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a rare word for the belief that Jesus was a human being and not a god.

For teachers: pertaining to the theological belief that Jesus Christ was purely human and possessed no divine nature.

- The professor explained the humanitarian view of Christ in early church history.
- The thesis explores the development of humanitarian christology within certain nineteenth-century radical theological circles.

Usage: This sense is restricted to academic or theological discussions.

### 4. historical philosophy

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Formal

an old word for someone who follows the philosophy of humanism.

For teachers: a historical synonym for a humanist, referring to an adherent of the philosophy of humanism.

- In the old book, the author describes himself as a humanitarian and a lover of science.
- The nineteenth-century text uses the term humanitarian to describe those who rejected supernaturalism in favour of human-centred ethics.

Teaching tip: In modern English, 'humanist' is almost always used instead of 'humanitarian' for this philosophical meaning.

## Examples

- The famous actor is also a dedicated humanitarian.
- After the earthquake, several humanitarians arrived to set up clean water systems for the survivors.
- The award recognizes the lifelong commitment of a humanitarian who risked personal safety to negotiate the release of political prisoners in war-torn regions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.