bestow

[bih-stoh]

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.

bestow

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bestow¹

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

Example Sentences

Foreign policy becomes an instrument of naked personal despotism, with favors bestowed on those who burnish the leader’s vanity, and yanked away from those who decline to do so.

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The puppet scenes, bestowing a belated yet supremely deserved spotlight on Abuela Julia, are the most original and haunting aspect of a production that too often flails for effects.

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The hayseed county that begat Richard Nixon and the boysenberry also bestowed the Righteous Brothers’ “blue-eyed soul” and the drive-in church upon the world.

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It feels like I’m bestowing a curse on Paul Thomas Anderson’s unrelenting movie, putting it in the pole position this early.

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Gilroy’s win marked the first Primetime Emmy Award bestowed upon the spy thriller, which had won four awards at the Creative Arts Emmys just last week.

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Related Words

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