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

See more synonyms for bestow on Thesaurus.com

1. grant, vouchsafe, award, accord.

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

Examples from the Web for bestowed

Contemporary Examples

She also features a more natural face than the one of docile serenity so often bestowed on the Queen of Heaven.
The Virgin Mary Lookbook
William O’Connor
December 7, 2014
They shared a birthday—July 8—and Nelson always thought that bestowed some sort of personal aura on him.
This Republican Loved Taxes & Modern Art
Scott Porch
November 19, 2014
That level of hate would never be bestowed upon someone was anything short of a revolutionary.
We Need MLK’s Revolutionary Spirit
Roland S. Martin
January 20, 2014
The medal is one of more than 250 awards that have been bestowed upon him.
Six Defining Moments From Nelson Mandela’s Life (video)
Nina Strochlic
December 5, 2013
Each age in our past history has bestowed on us its own contribution, as well as its own continuing curse.
The Invention of the Ego in Martin Luther’s Defiance
Thomas Cahill
November 3, 2013

Historical Examples

The prize was bestowed on him who ran the course without extinguishing his torch.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
He shrugged his shoulders, and bestowed on her a very wise look.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
Dick bestowed the money in his pocket, and again turned toward the door.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
The smiles which surrounded him were of his own creation, and he participated in the happiness he had bestowed.
Maid Marian
Thomas Love Peacock
In conjunction they had bestowed upon him hours of incomparable sweetness.
Casanova's Homecoming
Arthur Schnitzler

British Dictionary definitions for bestowed

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 bestowed

bestow

v.

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

bestow

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Synonyms

Examples from the Web for bestowed

Contemporary Examples

She also features a more natural face than the one of docile serenity so often bestowed on the Queen of Heaven.

They shared a birthday—July 8—and Nelson always thought that bestowed some sort of personal aura on him.

That level of hate would never be bestowed upon someone was anything short of a revolutionary.

The medal is one of more than 250 awards that have been bestowed upon him.

Each age in our past history has bestowed on us its own contribution, as well as its own continuing curse.

Historical Examples

The prize was bestowed on him who ran the course without extinguishing his torch.

He shrugged his shoulders, and bestowed on her a very wise look.

Dick bestowed the money in his pocket, and again turned toward the door.

The smiles which surrounded him were of his own creation, and he participated in the happiness he had bestowed.

In conjunction they had bestowed upon him hours of incomparable sweetness.

bestow

Word Origin and History for bestowed

bestow

v.

Origin of bestow