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

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

"That's why we are here, that's why people decided to mobilize for this and decided to donate."

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Studios and expensive equipment were destroyed in the fire, and people have donate more than £20,000 to fundraisers to help deal with the financial impact.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 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

It seemed that everyone I talked with wanted to donate money to the cause—individuals, corporations, and foundations.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Related Words

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