something that helps or promotes well-being; an advantage
good or welfare
I did it for his benefit
(also in pl)
financial help provided by the state in time of need, e.g. sickness, old age, or unemployment
a payment or service provided for by an annuity, pension scheme, or insurance policy
an entertainment, game, or social event to raise funds for a person or cause
benefit of the doubt
the assumption of innocence in the absence of proof of guilt
He said it was an accident and I gave him the benefit of the doubt
[Middle English from Anglo-French benfet, from Latin bene factum good deed, from bene good, well + facere to do]