Samaritan

noun

Sa·​mar·​i·​tan sə-ˈmer-ə-tən 

1

: a native or inhabitant of Samaria

2

[from the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30–37] : a person who is generous in helping those in distress

samaritan adjective often capitalized

Examples of Samaritan in a Sentence

A Samaritan called a tow truck for us.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Alaska Wildlife Troopers and good Samaritan boats also assisted. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2024

Alaska State Troopers and multiple good Samaritan vessel crews assisted the Coast Guard in searching for the family. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 6 Aug. 2024

Later that night, a good Samaritan found someone in the water about 35 miles northeast of Sebastian Inlet, over 100 miles from where Ferozi had departed on Thursday. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2024

Good Sam revival: The Senate passed the Good Samaritan For Hardrock Mining Act by voice vote last night. —Nick Sobczyk, Axios, 1 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English, from Late Latin samaritanus, noun & adjective, from Greek samaritēs inhabitant of Samaria, from Samaria

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Samaritan

• Good Samaritan