altruism

The definition of altruism is caring about other people and their needs without regard for your own needs.

(noun)

Charity is an example of altruism.

See altruism in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness
Ethics the doctrine that the general welfare of society is the proper goal of an individual's actions

Origin: Fr altruisme < It altrui or Fr autrui, of or to others < L alter, another: see alter

Related Forms:

See altruism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness.
Zoology Instinctive behavior that is detrimental to the individual but favors the survival or spread of that individual's genes, as by benefiting its relatives.

Origin:

Origin: French altruisme

Origin: , probably from Italian altrui, someone else

Origin: , from Latin alter, other; see al-¹ in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: