plural alms
1
: something (such as money or food) given freely to relieve the poor
distributing alms to the needy
2
archaic
: charity
Synonyms
Examples of alms in a Sentence
believes that giving alms to the poor is a moral duty
Recent Examples on the Web
Those celebrating also pay zakat al-fitr, an alms-tax that goes towards those in need.
—
Juliana Labianca, Good Housekeeping, 26 Jan. 2023
In 2007, amid rising fuel prices and yet another economic crisis, Buddhist monks led mass protests in Yangon and other cities, overturning their alms bowls to signal disenchantment with the military junta.
—Hannah Beech, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2022
Not that the alms offered up by President Biden and European leaders will do much good.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 31 Oct. 2022
Her public life was defined by these duties, some seemingly trivial, such as handing out symbolic alms, others mantled with pomp and pageantry — the opening of Parliament or the hosting of a state dinner.
—Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for alms 
Juliana Labianca, Good Housekeeping, 26 Jan. 2023
In 2007, amid rising fuel prices and yet another economic crisis, Buddhist monks led mass protests in Yangon and other cities, overturning their alms bowls to signal disenchantment with the military junta.
—Hannah Beech, BostonGlobe.com, 29 July 2022
Not that the alms offered up by President Biden and European leaders will do much good.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 31 Oct. 2022
Her public life was defined by these duties, some seemingly trivial, such as handing out symbolic alms, others mantled with pomp and pageantry — the opening of Parliament or the hosting of a state dinner.
—Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for alms
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alms.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Alms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alms. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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