1 [U,C] an advantage that sth gives you; a helpful and useful effect that sth has:
I've had the benefit of a good education. * The new regulations will be of benefit to everyone concerned. * It will be to your benefit to arrive early. * He couldn't see the benefit of arguing any longer. * the benefits of modern medicine * It was good to see her finally reaping the benefits (= enjoying the results) of all her hard work. * With the benefit of hindsight (= knowing what we have learnt since), we would do things differently. * For maximum benefit, take the tablets before meals.
seealsoCOST-BENEFIT, FRINGEBENEFIT
2 [U,C] (BrE) money provided by the government to people who need financial help because they are unemployed, ill, etc:
How long have you been on benefit?
seealsoCHILDBENEFIT, HOUSINGBENEFIT, SICKNESSBENEFIT
3 [C,usually pl.] advantages that you get from a company in addition to the money that you earn; money from an insurance company:
The insurance plan will provide substantial cash benefits to your family in case of your death.
seealsoFRINGEBENEFIT
4 [C] an event such as a performance, a dinner, etc., organized in order to raise money for a particular person or charity:
a benefit match / concert * The proceeds from the benefit will go directly to the refugee camps.
IDIOMS
for sb's benefit especially in order to help or be useful to sb:
I have typed out some lecture notes for the benefit of those people who were absent last week. * Don't go to any trouble for my benefit!
give sb the benefit of the doubt to accept that sb has told the truth or has not done sth wrong because you cannot prove that they have not:
She may have been lying, but I felt I had to give her the benefit of the doubt.
verb (-t- or -tt-)
1 [VN] to be useful to sb or improve their life in some way:
We should spend the money on something that will benefit everyone.
2 [V] ~ (from / by sth) to be in a better position because of sth:
Who exactly stands to benefit from these changes? * Most crime victims benefit greatly by talking about their experiences.
