bestow

[bih-stoh]

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

Origin of bestow

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

Related formsbe·stow·al, be·stow·ment, nounmis·be·stow, verb (used with object)pre·be·stow, verb (used with object)pre·be·stow·al, nounun·be·stowed, adjectivewell-be·stowed, adjective

Synonyms for bestow

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1. grant, vouchsafe, award, accord.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for bestow

grant, confer, lavish, bequeath, entrust, donate, accord, apportion, gift, offer, devote, award, favor, impart, commit, present

Examples from the Web for bestow

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of bestow

The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
Shall we hesitate to devote to him whatever he claims, or whatever we can bestow?
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. II
Francis Augustus Cox
Thus, then, your generosity can never be evinced but to him on whom you bestow your hand.
Alice, or The Mysteries, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
I suppose you have no objection this time to bestow a few bullets on these gentry?
The Field of Ice
Jules Verne
Oh, it is that which you must part with to bestow all the rest!
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1
Henry Fielding

British Dictionary definitions for bestow

bestow

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 Formsbestowal 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

Word Origin and History for bestow

early 14c., bistowen "give" (as alms, etc.), from be- + stowen "to place" (see stow). Related: Bestowed; bestowing; bestower.