bestow

American  

[bih-stoh] / bɪˈstoʊ /

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.

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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)

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Other Word Forms

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

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

We are also a species insufficiently grateful, it seems, for the favors flowers bestow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

So you’ll have to wait until next fall to see the Recording Academy bestow Swift with her eighth nomination for album of the year, as indeed it’s sure to do.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

Twenty-one percent of managers say Tesla is the market’s most richly valued stock, while 13% bestow the “honor” on Nvidia.

From Barron's • Oct. 23, 2025

The president also told reporters that he’d always wanted to be honored by the Kennedy Center, joking that he muscled his way into the institution to bestow the award on himself.

From Salon • Aug. 13, 2025

“I beg your pardon, Yollo. You need not look so pale, I was only playing with you. The Prince of Sorrows does not bestow his grey kiss lightly.”

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

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