donate

American  

[doh-neyt, doh-neyt] / ˈdoʊ neɪt, doʊˈneɪt /

verb (used with object)

donated, donating

1. to present as a gift, grant, or contribution; make a donation of, as to a fund or cause.

   to donate used clothes to the Salvation Army.

   Synonyms:

   bequeath, present, bestow, contribute

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verb (used without object)

donated, donating

1. to make a gift, grant, or contribution of something; give; contribute.

   They donate to the Red Cross every year.

donate British  

/ dəʊˈneɪt /

verb

1. to give (money, time, etc), esp to a charity

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Other Word Forms

• donator noun
• predonate verb (used with object)
• undonated adjective

Etymology

Origin of donate

1775–85, probably back formation from donation

Example Sentences

Billionaire hedge fund owner Chris Rokos is to donate £190m to the University of Cambridge.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Meanwhile, his commitment to being a values-driven business drew supporters, who began to donate supplies, and books—so many books, in fact, that every book he sold came via charitable donation.

From Slate • Mar. 25, 2026

But the ultimate amount that wealthy individuals and corporations donate will also be affected by economic growth and the intergenerational wealth transfer that is putting trillions of dollars into the hands of the younger generation.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Product designers are coming up with novel ways to rouse deep sleepers that border on diabolical, including clocks that deliver 300-volt electric shocks and donate snoozers’ money to charity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

We were able to donate over thirty baskets of food to area families.

From "Tears of a Tiger" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

• award
• bequeath
• contribute
• devote
• give
• give away
• grant
• hand out
• present
• provide