charity

Universal Words noun (plural charities) 1 [C] an organization for helping people in need: Many charities sent money to help the victims of the famine. * The concert will raise money for local charities. 2 [U] the aim of giving money, food, help, etc. to people who are in need: Most of the runners in the London Marathon are raising money for charity. * Do you give much to charity? * a charity concert (= organized to get money for charity) * to live on / off charity (= to live on money which other people give you because you are poor) 3 [U] (formal) kindness and sympathy towards other people, especially when you are judging them: Her article showed no charity towards her former friends. IDIOMS charity begins at home (saying) you should help and care for your own family, etc. before you start helping other people