bestow

[ bih-stoh ]
See synonyms for: bestowbestowedbestowalbestowment on Thesaurus.com

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

  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.

  1. Archaic.

    • to provide quarters for; house; lodge.

    • to put; stow; deposit; store.

Origin of bestow

1
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English bestowen; see be-, stow

Other 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use bestow in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bestow

bestow

/ (bɪˈstəʊ) /


verb(tr)
  1. to present (a gift) or confer (an award or honour)

  2. archaic to apply (energy, resources, etc)

  1. 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