donation

[doh-ney-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of presenting something as a gift, grant, or contribution.

2. a gift, as to a fund; contribution.

   Synonyms: gratuity, benefaction, offering

donation

/ dəʊˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of giving, esp to a charity

2. a contribution

Other Word Forms

• predonation noun
• self-donation noun
• superdonation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of donation¹

1375–1425, for an earlier sense; late Middle English < Latin dōnātiōn- (stem of dōnātiō ), equivalent to dōnāt ( us ), past participle of dōnāre to give ( dōn-, stem of dōnum gift, + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of donation¹

C15: from Latin dōnātiō a presenting, from dōnāre to give, from dōnum gift

Synonym Study

See present ².

Example Sentences

Now, the larger format provides enough backroom space to sort donations, so garbage bags of donated clothing don’t spill out onto the sidewalk.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A charity is giving away blankets and duvets to residents this winter after experiencing a "massive influx" of donations.

Read more on BBC

However since then the group has been mired in factional in-fighting including a row over the handling of £800,000 of donations.

Read more on BBC

Two years later, a nonprofit connected to Epstein made a $110,000 donation to New’s nonprofit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The fundraising effort invites local sports teams, philanthropists and partners to fund ticket donations that will go to local organizations that will distribute tickets within their communities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aid 
• allowance 
• appropriation 
• assistance 
• bequest 
• charity 
• contribution 
• endowment 
• grant 
• handout 
• help 
• relief 
• subscription 
• subsidy