donor

[doh-ner]

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.

adjective

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

   donor organ.

donor

/ 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

donor

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.

Other Word Forms

• donorship noun
• predonor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of donor¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of donor¹

C15: from Old French doneur, from Latin dōnātor, from dōnāre to give

Example Sentences

A foodbank is asking donors to consider trying a "reverse advent calendar" this year – giving 24 items to help provide Christmas hampers to families in need.

Read more on BBC

Weeks after the fire, Jay founded Altadena Musicians, and the companion Instrumental Giving app followed in April to connect musicians in need with donors.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A landmark law to increase the number of organ donors has had little impact 10 years after it was introduced, according to a charity and an academic.

Read more on BBC

Colleges fund athletics from tuition, ticket sales, TV deals and wealthy donors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"By increasing the number of mitochondria inside donor cells, we can help aging or damaged cells regain their vitality -- without any genetic modification or drugs."

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• backer 
• benefactor 
• contributor 
• patron