bestow

[ bih-stoh ]

/ bɪˈstoʊ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bestow ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to present as a gift; give; confer (usually followed by on or upon): The trophy was bestowed upon the winner.

to put to some use; apply: Time spent in study is time well bestowed.

Archaic.

to provide quarters for; house; lodge.
to put; stow; deposit; store.

Nearby words

bestiality, bestialize, bestiary, bestie, bestir, bestow, bestraddle, bestrew, bestride, bestrow, bestseller

Origin of bestow

1275–1325; Middle English bestowen. See be-, stow

SYNONYMS FOR bestow

1 grant, vouchsafe, award, accord.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR bestow ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

be·stow·al, be·stow·ment, nounmis·be·stow, verb (used with object)pre·be·stow, verb (used with object)pre·be·stow·al, noun

un·be·stowed, adjectivewell-be·stowed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bestow

The question is: why were they about to bestow the award in the first place?
State Puts Brakes On Award To Anti-Semitic Tweeter|Ali Gharib|March 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Do you think I have charity to bestow, or a morsel of bread to spare?'
Charles Dickens' Enduring Insights on Human Loss and Suffering|David Frum|February 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But the renewed bid holds the potential to bestow certain key privileges that should not be overlooked.
Opening The Door To The ICC|Danielle Spiegel Feld|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Restaurants have a soft opening and weeks of tweaking before critics come calling to bestow stars.
Louis Vuitton, Chanel, McQueen Cap Paris Spring 2013 Fashion Week Shows|Robin Givhan|October 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The rationale for the visit, after all, is explicitly symbolic: the president will bestow the Medal of Freedom on the chancellor.
Obama and Merkel Play Friends for the Cameras|Russell A. Berman|June 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
He gave her the impression of a petty tyrant about to bestow largess upon an obsequious and fawning slave.
The Blood Red Dawn|Charles Caldwell Dobie
We learn that a lover can receive, and his mistress can bestow nothing which is equal to the rapturous enjoyment of an easy chair.
Deformities of Samuel Johnson, Selected from his Works|Anonymous
This bread I used to bestow upon the hungry little urchins, who, in return, would give me that more valuable bread of knowledge.
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass|Frederick Douglass
The occult student has also to bestow a further care on the world of sound.
The Way of Initiation|Rudolf Steiner
Or perhaps his manner was due to his desire to bestow some additional attention upon her.
The Song of Songs|Hermann Sudermann

British Dictionary definitions for bestow

bestow

/ (bɪˈstəʊ) /

verb (tr)

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

archaic to apply (energy, resources, etc)

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

Derived Forms

bestowal or bestowment, nounbestower, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012