benefit

[[t]be̱nɪfɪt[/t]]

♦♦

benefits, benefiting, benefited

(The forms benefitting and benefitted are also used.)

1) N-VAR: oft N of n The benefit of something is the help that you get from it or the advantage that results from it.

Each family farms individually and reaps the benefit of its labor...

I'm a great believer in the benefits of this form of therapy...

For maximum benefit, use your treatment every day.

Syn:

advantage, profit

2) N-UNCOUNT: oft with poss, of N to n If something is to your benefit or is of benefit to you, it helps you or improves your life.

This could now work to Albania's benefit...

I hope what I have written will be of benefit to someone else who may feel the same way.

Syn:

advantage

3) V-ERG If you benefit from something or if it benefits you, it helps you or improves your life.

[V from n] Both sides have benefited from the talks.

[V n] ...a variety of government programs benefiting children. [Also V]

Syn:

profit

4) N-UNCOUNT: N of n If you have the benefit of some information, knowledge, or equipment, you are able to use it so that you can achieve something.

Steve didn't have the benefit of a formal college education...

With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear we ought to have done more...

This remarkable achievement took place without the benefit of our modern telecommunication industry.

Syn:

advantage

5) N-VAR Benefit is money that is given by the government to people who are poor, ill, or unemployed.

...the removal of benefit from school-leavers...

I was told that in order to get benefit payments I would have to answer some questions.

6) N-COUNT: oft N n A benefit, or a benefit concert or dinner, is an event that is held in order to raise money for a particular charity or person.

I am organising a benefit gig in Bristol to raise these funds.

7) → See also , unemployment benefit

8) PHRASE: usu PHR after v If you give someone the benefit of the doubt, you treat them as if they are telling the truth or as if they have behaved properly, even though you are not sure that this is the case.

At first I gave him the benefit of the doubt...

Shalford is entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

9) PHRASE: PHR after v If you say that someone is doing something for the benefit of a particular person, you mean that they are doing it for that person.

You need people working for the benefit of the community...

He doesn't have to go through this elaborate display for my benefit!