donor

American  

[doh-ner] / ˈdoʊ nər /

noun

1. a person who gives or donates.

   Synonyms:

   patron, sponsor, contributor, supporter

2. Medicine/Medical. a person or animal providing blood, an organ, bone marrow cells, or other biological tissue for transfusion or transplantation.

3. Law. a person who gives property by gift, legacy, or devise, or who confers a power of appointment.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the biological tissue of a donor.

   donor organ.

donor British  

/ ˈdəʊnə /

noun

1. a person who makes a donation

2. med any person who voluntarily gives blood, skin, a kidney etc, for use in the treatment of another person

3. law

   1. a person who makes a gift of property

   2. a person who bestows upon another a power of appointment over property

4. the atom supplying both electrons in a coordinate bond

5. an impurity, such as antimony or arsenic, that is added to a semiconductor material in order to increase its n-type conductivity by contributing free electrons Compare acceptor

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donor Scientific  

/ dō′nər /

1. An atom or molecule that releases one or more electrons to another atom or molecule, resulting in a chemical bond or flow of electric current.

2. Compare acceptor See also electron carrier

3. An individual from whom blood, tissue, or an organ is taken for transfusion, implantation, or transplant.

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Other Word Forms

• donorship noun
• predonor noun

Etymology

Origin of donor

1400–50; late Middle English donour < Anglo-French ( Old French doneur ) < Latin dōnātor, equivalent to dōnā ( re ) ( donation ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Athletes do not receive money directly from colleges for playing on their teams; instead, they get paid indirectly from NIL collectives, donors and sponsorship deals, which the school and team GM can broker.

From MarketWatch

He underwent chemotherapy and a donor stem cell transplant in July but in November was told that his cancer had returned.

From BBC

He was a fan of multiple Bruins sports and a donor for six decades, his generosity extending beyond his passing in December 2024 at 75.

From Los Angeles Times

The visit was organized by oil magnate and GOP donor Harry Sargeant III, who has helped broker agreements aimed at deepening U.S. commercial engagement in Venezuela.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite this dependence, the report points to growing "donor fatigue."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• backer
• benefactor
• contributor
• patron