benefit

1 /'benifIt/ noun

1 (C, U) something that gives you advantages or improves your life in some way: an aid program that has brought lasting benefits to the region | have the benefit of: She has had the benefit of a first-class education. | for sb's benefit (=in order to help someone or to be useful to them): All donations are used for the benefit of disabled children. | reap the benefit (=use and enjoy the advantages of something you have worked to achieve) | be of benefit formal (=be useful or helpful in some way): The new credit cards will be of great benefit to our customers.

2 (C, U) BrE money provided by the government to people who are sick or unemployed; welfare (3) AmE: Are you sure you're getting all the benefits you're entitled to? | housing/child/unemployment etc benefit: How much unemployment benefit do you get? | on benefit (=receiving benefit): How long have you been on benefit?

3 benefit concert/performance/match a concert, performance, etc arranged to make money for charity (2): a benefit concert for famine relief

4 give sb the benefit of the doubt to accept what someone tells you even though you think they may be lying

5 (countable usually plural) the money or other advantages that you get from insurance that you have: The benefits include full medical cover when travelling abroad.

2 verb

1 (T) to bring advantages to someone or improve their lives in some way: a trade agreement that will greatly benefit the developing world

2 (I) to be helped by something: I can see the advantages of this for you, but how will I benefit?

(+ from/by): Many thousands have benefited from the new treatment.