bestow

American  

[bih-stoh] / bɪˈstoʊ /

verb (used with object)

1. to present as a gift; give; confer (usually followed by on orupon ).

   The trophy was bestowed upon the winner.

   Synonyms:

   accord, award, vouchsafe, grant

2. Archaic. to put to some use; apply.

   He was continually working the mines, expending money and bestowing his time, toil, and skill upon them.

3. Archaic.

   1. to provide quarters for; house; lodge.

   2. to put; stow; deposit; store.

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bestow British  

/ bɪˈstəʊ /

verb

1. to present (a gift) or confer (an award or honour)

2. archaic to apply (energy, resources, etc)

3. archaic to house (a person) or store (goods)

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Other Word Forms

• bestowal noun
• bestower noun
• bestowment noun
• misbestow verb (used with object)
• prebestow verb (used with object)
• prebestowal noun

Etymology

Origin of bestow

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English bestowen; be-, stow ( def. )

Explanation

When you present an honor or a gift to someone, you bestow it, which is the same as giving it, but often classier and more respectful. Bestow comes from the Middle English stowen, "to place." Placing something really valuable or honoring in the hands of another, or conferring a position of responsibility on them, is to bestow it. For example, "She gave her teacher a ceramic apple she had made, knowing that her whole class would bestow the big honor of Teacher of the Year later that day," or, "The king praised her for working with the poor, and he would later bestow the medal of honor on her in a ceremony."

Example Sentences

And because we can learn from it, the authority we bestow on the dictionary is gratifyingly reciprocal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

She had traveled to the basilica from her home in Tabasco state to beg Guadalupe to bestow on her at least one child.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

In response to outcry over the plan to include Suharto, Prabowo's office had insisted he has the right to bestow the title upon whomever he chooses.

From Barron's • Nov. 10, 2025

The president also told reporters that he’d always wanted to be honored by the Kennedy Center, joking that he muscled his way into the institution to bestow the award on himself.

From Salon • Aug. 13, 2025

“It is my... pleasure,” Octavian said, forcing out the last word, “to bestow upon you the Mural Crown for being first over the walls in siege warfare.”

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• bequeath
• confer
• donate
• entrust
• grant
• hand out
• lavish