endowment

[en-dou-muhnt]

noun

1. the act of endowing.

2. the property, funds, etc., with which an institution or person is endowed.

   Synonyms: bequest, grant, gift

3. Usually endowments. an attribute of mind or body; a gift of nature.

   Synonyms: ability, talent, capacity, capability

endowment

/ ɪnˈdaʊmənt /

noun

1. 1. the source of income with which an institution, etc, is endowed

   2. the income itself

2. the act or process of endowing

3. (usually plural) natural talents or qualities

Other Word Forms

• nonendowment noun
• reendowment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of endowment¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Anglo-French endowement; equivalent to endow + -ment

Example Sentences

Galton “advocated the regulation of marriage and family size according to hereditary endowment of parents,” Gould noted in his classic 1981 book “The Mismeasure of Man.”

From Los Angeles Times

Kaufman also gave money to schools in New York City, including four lifetime endowments for undergraduates at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

From Los Angeles Times

It also made another suggestion: that UC tap into billions in unrestricted endowment funds to bridge the gap left by suspended grants.

From Los Angeles Times

A similar fight recently sent fur flying in Los Angeles, where the city and its former nonprofit zoo partner have locked horns over control of a $50-million endowment.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite the country's colossal natural endowments, most mining communities have little infrastructure, without even accessible roads to the mines where the wealth is scooped from the ground.

From BBC

Related Words

• bequest 
• donation 
• fund 
• funding www.thesaurus.com
• grant 
• income 
• inheritance 
• largess www.thesaurus.com
• nest egg 
• pension 
• revenue 
• stipend 
• subsidy 
• trust