donation

[ doh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution.
2. a gift, as to a fund; contribution.

   Synonyms: gratuity, benefaction, offering

donation

/ dəʊˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of giving, esp to a charity
2. a contribution

Other Words From

• predo·nation noun
• self-do·nation noun
• super·do·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of donation¹

1375–1425, for an earlier sense; late Middle English < Latin dōnātiōn- (stem of dōnātiō ), equivalent to dōnāt ( us ), past participle of dōnāre to give ( dōn-, stem of dōnum gift, + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of donation¹

C15: from Latin dōnātiō a presenting, from dōnāre to give, from dōnum gift

Synonym Study

See present ².

Example Sentences

On Sunday Than Dar held the last of the funeral rites for her husband with a food donation ceremony at a monastery.

From The Daily Beast

This was before Cassidy entered politics, and the Republican congressman now calls that donation a “youthful indiscretion.”

From The Daily Beast

Which is $30 billion less than the largest ever single donation.

From The Daily Beast

This is nothing like the million-dollar donation Maher made to the Obama campaign in 2012.

From The Daily Beast

The 1978 movie Coma explored deep-rooted fears about exploitation and medical advances in organ donation.

From The Daily Beast

Ando promised a generous donation in return for information concerning the Kano family.

From Project Gutenberg

In the same year he presented the funds of the Society with £100, his last donation.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever may be our estimate of the merit or utility of a small donation, the most trifling addition is of some importance.

From Project Gutenberg

Mere pecuniary aid, or indeed any other form of donation, is after all a cheap description of charity.

From Project Gutenberg

Accordingly it requires that before attaining this delectable privilege, the “alien” must make a “donation” of ten dollars.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aid
• allowance
• appropriation
• assistance
• bequest
• charity
• contribution
• endowment
• grant
• handout
• help
• relief
• subscription
• subsidy