donate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
donates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
donated,
past participle, past
-
donating
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
donates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
donated,
past participle, past
-
donating
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
donatesimple
-
donatessimple
-
have donatedperfect
-
has donatedperfect
-
am donatingprogressive
-
are donatingprogressive
-
is donatingprogressive
-
have been donatingperfect progressive
-
has been donatingperfect progressive
Past
-
donatedsimple
-
had donatedperfect
-
was donatingprogressive
-
were donatingprogressive
-
had been donatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of donate
1775–85, probably back formation from donation
Explanation
To donate means to give something — money, goods, or time — to some cause, such as a charity. The word has a more altruistic meaning than does simply "giving"; it suggests that you don't expect anything in return for the contribution. The verb donate has always meant "to give," all the way back to the Latin verb donāre, "to give as a gift." Trace it back even further, to the ancient Indo-European roots, and you still have that same feeling to the word — "a gift." But it's more than a gift — it's a gift with the intention of helping. As an African proverb says, "If everybody in town donates one thread, the poor man has a shirt."
Vocabulary lists containing donate
Giving Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for October 15–October 21, 2022
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A key priority will be encouraging corporations to donate a share of profits to a near-empty UN fund to support conservation in developing countries.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
Before his death, he expressed a wish to donate his brain to scientific research.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026
The Hygiene Bank is urging people to donate essential products or money for National Hygiene Week, which ends on 11 October.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
To donate albums and other collectibles, think outside the boxes, as it were.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
"I shall donate material for this project to your club," Didu announces.
From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins
The store donates a portion of proceeds to local cat rescues, such as Kitten Rescue Los Angeles, Northeast L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026
The 14-year-old is a junior astronomer for the charity UK Astronomy, to which he donates the proceeds from his book All About Space.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
The Simon family, through a charitable foundation, donates to many causes, including a $5 million gift to Columbia University.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026
He has written poetry since high school, peppers social media with inspirational sayings and donates time and money to several charities.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026
“The owner of the Afghan restaurant near here donates meals to welcome new families. Let’s go there,” Salma Auntie agrees.
From "Amina's Song" by Hena Khan
He donated the fossil to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in 2019, providing researchers with another example of the mysterious animal.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 20, 2026
On Monday the Wall Street Journal reported that only days after being indicted for embezzlement, a fugitive donated $25,000 to the attorney general.
From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2026
Next was my friend Ezra Dyer, a columnist with Car and Driver, who donated the use of his beach house, his 21-foot power boat and his weekend.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
Kalshi donated $2 million to the National Council on Problem Gambling.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
“My dad donated money to build this mosque,” whispered Zalmay, puffing out his chest.
From "Shooting Kabul" by N. H. Senzai
Kao and Hartman struck a similar bargain with Wilson, Kao told the FBI, at a private lunch he secured by donating to his campaign.
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
Such agents help reactions proceed by accepting or donating electrons, but some can be hazardous to handle and generate unwanted waste.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026
Polaczy, who is now 80, said donating cycling shorts wasn't cheap, but it was worth it for her own peace of mind.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
For example: If your priority is paying for a grandchild’s tuition or donating to a beloved charity, you’re more likely to fall for a scheme that promises to fulfill that goal.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026
I haven’t really begun to like donating things.
From "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
