an advantage that something gives you; a helpful and useful effect that something has
Freedom of information brings great benefits.
health/economic/tax benefits
the benefits of modern medicine
I've had the benefit of a good education.
It was good to see her finally reaping the benefits (= enjoying the results) of all her hard work.
The industry will be one of the first to enjoy the benefits of the recovery.
The company derived substantial benefit from the deal.
benefit of doing something He couldn't see the benefit of arguing any longer.
be of benefit to somebody/something The new regulations will be of benefit to everyone concerned.
to somebody's benefit It will be to your benefit to arrive early.
benefit for somebody/something The project will have major benefits for the local community.
With the benefit of hindsight (= knowing what we have learnt since), we would do things differently.
without the benefit of something Nobody should be sent to prison without the benefit of legal advice.
For maximum benefit, take the tablets before meals.
money provided by the government to people who need financial help because they are unemployed, ill, etc.
You may be eligible to receive benefits.
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell last month.
on benefits The aim is to help people who are on benefits (= receiving benefits) to find jobs.
an advantage that you get from a company in addition to the money that you earn
Private health insurance is offered as part of the employees' benefits package.
These benefits will now be extended to agency workers.
money from an insurance company
The insurance plan will provide substantial cash benefits to your family in case of your death.
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.
especially in order to help or be useful to somebody
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!
to accept that somebody has told the truth or behaved well 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.
to be useful to somebody or improve their life in some way
We should spend the money on something that will benefit everyone.
The new tax laws will clearly benefit those on low wages.
The project will benefit the local community as a whole.
to be in a better position because of something
We all benefit when our young people realize their potential.
benefit from something Who exactly stands to benefit from these changes?
benefit by doing something Most crime victims benefit greatly by talking about their experiences.
