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

The allegations, first reported in The Guardian, centre around the misuse of donations and of a "bullying culture" at the organisation, which has more than a hundred year-round volunteers and three paid members of staff.

From BBC

Televangelists have longed manufactured spiritual crises of various types — for themselves, for the church, for society and for the world — to drive donations.

From Salon

The posts brought in at least £2m in donations, but a BBC News investigation last year revealed some of the stories shared online had in fact been faked.

From BBC

"Ever since we started it, we've had people come up and give us donations, we've had people cheering us - not just white British people, people from all different backgrounds," he said.

From BBC

The uninvited guest stole a donation box containing roughly $100,000 in cash, gift cards and checks meant for a pair of newlyweds celebrating in Glendale.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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