bestow
Archaic. to put to some use; apply: He was continually working the mines, expending money and bestowing his time, toil, and skill upon them.
Archaic.
to provide quarters for; house; lodge.
to put; stow; deposit; store.
Origin of bestow
1Other words for bestow
Other words from bestow
- be·stow·al, be·stow·ment, noun
- mis·be·stow, verb (used with object)
- pre·be·stow, verb (used with object)
- pre·be·stow·al, noun
Words Nearby bestow
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use bestow in a sentence
Some typed, some handwritten, these letters are adorned with whimsical sketches and amusing ephemera, such as the coupon entitling Jane to 1,728 “loving kisses to be bestowed, one each, on every square inch of her beautiful body.”
What Kurt Vonnegut’s rapturous love letters reveal about him as a writer — and husband | Susan Keselenko Coll | December 3, 2020 | Washington PostIt bestows outsized rewards for performance on test day, and little for checking in on past subjects.
Cramming may help for next-day exams. But for long-term memory, spacing out study is what works. | Sanjay Sarma, Luke Yoquinto | November 30, 2020 | Washington PostMeantime, the regional Association of Village Council Presidents and the statewide Alaska Federation of Natives each bestowed Anderson-Agimuk with awards for youth leadership.
Alaska’s “Him Too” Moment: When Politicians and Allies Come With Accusations of Their Own | by Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Daily News and Greg Kim, KYUK | October 23, 2020 | ProPublicaIn all cases, they bestow credits on manufacturers that exceed the standards.
Tesla’s biggest profit center is dangerously close to running out of power | Shawn Tully | September 30, 2020 | FortuneIn these heady times, foregoing almost $5 billion may seem a small price to pay for notching an IPO that both succeeded in raising billions and brought a rousing vote of confidence by bestowing one of the richest valuations in tech history.
By this measure, Snowflake’s IPO wasn’t such a a success after all | Shawn Tully | September 17, 2020 | Fortune
Foreign countries bestow ornate gifts on American officials as a sign of courtesy during diplomatic trips.
Meditation Rugs, Swords, and Horse Head Fiddles: The Strangest Gifts Given to Government Bigwigs | Ben Jacobs | November 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAmerican weapons, troops, and largesse could never bestow legitimacy on a corrupt and incompetent Saigon regime.
General Giap and the Myth of American Invincibility | James A. Warren | October 12, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe question is: why were they about to bestow the award in the first place?
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 | THE DAILY BEASTEmma was played by Vivien Leigh in the 1941 movie, "That Hamilton Woman" - and really what higher accolade can history bestow?
Not a word, or even a glance, will a well-bred hostess bestow upon the servants, nor will she speak to the guests of the dishes.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyWith the exception of the Mahomedans and Jews, none of these different people bestow much care upon their dress.
A Woman's Journey Round the World | Ida PfeifferShould you bestow upon my letter a fair and impartial perusal, it will neither be useless to you nor to my country.
Madame Roland, Makers of History | John S. C. AbbottA word on the contradictory education which we bestow upon our daughters.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10) | Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)Here in this desert of men's huts he had gained what all the towering mountains had not been able to bestow.
The Dragon Painter | Mary McNeil Fenollosa
British Dictionary definitions for bestow
/ (bɪˈstəʊ) /
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 of bestow
- bestowal or bestowment, noun
- bestower, 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
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