bestow

American  

[bih-stoh] / bɪˈstoʊ /

verb (used with object)

• bestows,
  present (3rd person singular)
• bestowed,
  past participle,  past
• bestowing
  present participle

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 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)

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• bestowing
  present
• bestowed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• bestow
  simple
• bestows
  simple
• have bestowed
  perfect
• has bestowed
  perfect
• am bestowing
  progressive
• are bestowing
  progressive
• is bestowing
  progressive
• have been bestowing
  perfect progressive
• has been bestowing
  perfect progressive

Past

• bestowed
  simple
• had bestowed
  perfect
• was bestowing
  progressive
• were bestowing
  progressive
• had been bestowing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will bestow
  simple
• will have bestowed
  perfect
• will be bestowing
  progressive
• will have been bestowing
  perfect progressive

---

Etymology

Origin of bestow

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English bestowen; see 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

See Examples For:

bestow bestows bestowed bestowing

One night, the five decide to bestow their honorific on Ticky, whom they consider “the cleverest of us all because you can tell the exact time without looking at a clock.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

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

Australians demand success against Australia to bestow respect upon an opposing player.

From BBC ● Dec. 4, 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

Every time the girls are tested, she cannot soften a temperament or bestow talent.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Supporters think the passage bestows citizenship on virtually any person born in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026

In order to truly feel the benefit and gift that this money bestows, you clearly need to make sure it makes a difference elsewhere, too.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 20, 2026

“No,” he added, “it is the office of the president that bestows those far-reaching protections to the office holder.”

From Slate ● Jan. 10, 2025

Redemption implies salvation or forgiveness, two graces Lorraine lacks for strangers and barely bestows on loved ones.

From Salon ● Jan. 9, 2024

In the meantime, Harry Potter’s well-wishers must hope that, next time, he bestows his heart on a worthier candidate.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

The team at the time was helmed by Bears founder, president and head coach George Halas, who later bestowed Ditka with his first NFL head coaching job in 1982.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

The month before, Putin had bestowed him with a state honor, the Order of Friendship.

From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026

Exhibit A: Wolf Blitzer, whose white beard has bestowed the gift of perpetual old age on him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

Less than a year after retiring, Sobers received a knighthood in the New Year Honours of 1975, which was bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II during a royal visit to Barbados.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

But Éomer said: ‘Where is the Lady Éowyn, my sister; for surely she should be lying beside the king, and in no less honour? Where have they bestowed her?’

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Caesar affected to disdain high office but in 27 B.C. maneuvered the Senate into bestowing upon him, as Agrippa relates, “the dignified honorific of Augustus—‘the Revered One’—close to, but not quite, divine.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

Metro's critic Dave Freak agreed, external, also bestowing four stars.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026

The biggest engines are often installed in pairs or quads, bestowing “Miami Vice”-style speed on large vessels packed with creature comforts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

It was here, in 2017, that Xi hosted Trump, bestowing on his guest an honour not granted to any US president since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

From BBC ● Nov. 18, 2024

“Yes, well, I’d wager that you’re rather unpleasant to talk to even when you’re bestowing kindness upon others.”

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

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

---