endowment

[ en-dou-muhnt ]

noun

1. the act of endowing.
2. the property, funds, etc., with which an institution or person is endowed.

   Synonyms: bequest, grant, gift

3. Usually endowments. an attribute of mind or body; a gift of nature.

   Synonyms: ability, talent, capacity, capability

endowment

/ ɪnˈdaʊmənt /

noun

1. 1. the source of income with which an institution, etc, is endowed
   2. the income itself
2. the act or process of endowing
3. usually plural natural talents or qualities

Other Words From

• nonen·dowment noun
• reen·dowment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of endowment¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French endowement; equivalent to endow + -ment

Example Sentences

In two historic federal endowments, the EPA awarded about $910 million in grant money to Southern California to reduce smog-forming emissions from trains, trucks and cargo-moving equipment at the Port of Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

The collection of works by L.A.-based artists, known as MAC3, has a nearly $20-million endowment for future acquisitions, storage and care of the art.

From Los Angeles Times

“They have changed the fortune of this orchestra,” she said, referring to the $120-million donation they made in 2002 — the largest ever to a U.S. orchestra — that funded an endowment.

From Los Angeles Times

Ross and the endowment didn’t invent that movement.

From Los Angeles Times

The foundation is also funding a $20-million endowment to provide research grants to young scientists using novel processes to advance immunotherapy research, human immunology and vaccine discovery.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bequest
• donation
• fund
• funding
• grant
• income
• inheritance
• largess
• nest egg
• pension
• revenue
• stipend
• subsidy
• trust