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donate

verb
do·​nate | \ ˈdō-ˌnāt How to pronounce donate (audio) , dō-ˈnāt\
donated; donating

Definition of donate

transitive verb

1 : to make a gift of especially : to contribute to a public or charitable cause
2 : to transfer (a particle, such as an electron) to another atom or molecule

intransitive verb

: to make a donation
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about donate

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Choose the Right Synonym for donate

give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession. give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means. give alms gave her a ride on a pony give my love to your mother present carries a note of formality and ceremony. present an award donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity). donate a piano to the orphanage bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver. bestow unwanted advice confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor). confer an honorary degree afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver. the trees afford shade a development that affords us some hope

Examples of donate in a Sentence

The computers were donated by local companies. We donated our old clothes to charity. people who donate money to political candidates He donates some of his free time to volunteer work. Everyone is encouraged to donate. People are encouraged to donate blood. Please sign this form if you would like to donate your organs when you die. You can donate at the blood bank every eight weeks.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Whatever the origin of She Sheds, Elizabeth Cole Design has designed a She Shed donated by Tuff Shed for the Fall Katy Home & Garden Show Sept. 7-8 at the Merrell Center. — Karen Zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "Home & Garden Show features She Shed," 4 Sep. 2019 The rocks were donated by Jerry Preston Hauling of Jarrettsville; anybody who finds a rock can take a picture and post it on social media with the hashtag #Harford4Recovery. — David Anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Harford County observes National Recovery Month in September with purple lights, social media campaigns and community events," 4 Sep. 2019 An additional $5,750 was donated by two lobbyists who had been registered shortly before making contributions to Biden’s campaign, records show. — Washington Post, "Biden taps influence industry despite pledge on lobbyists," 3 Sep. 2019 In June, seeds for various flowers were planted, which were donated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. — Micah Walker, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Audubon turns east side park into a haven for bird watchers," 3 Sep. 2019 An additional $5,750 was donated by two lobbyists who had been registered shortly before making contributions to Biden's campaign, records show. — CBS News, "Despite pledge, Biden hauls in 2020 donations from lobbyists," 3 Sep. 2019 The land is located in Tse Bonito, New Mexico, and was donated by the Chevron Mining Company. — Shondiin Silversmith, azcentral, "For Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald, a 'beautiful blue' uniform led him to enlist at 15," 29 Aug. 2019 On game nights, the groundskeeper marked yard lines with a white powder -- sodium sulfate -- donated by the plant. — Los Angeles Times, "Trona High’s once-mighty Sandmen fight to keep football alive in wake of earthquakes," 28 Aug. 2019 Harbor of Hope broke ground last April on land donated by Portland’s urban renewal agency, which will retain ownership of the land. — oregonlive.com, "Northwest Portland homeless ‘navigation center’ opens in lauded public-private partnership," 26 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'donate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of donate

1785, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for donate

back-formation from donation

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More Definitions for donate

donate

verb
How to pronounce donate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of donate

: to give (money, food, clothes, etc.) in order to help a person or organization
: to give (blood, a body organ, etc.) to a hospital or other medical organization so that it can be given to someone who needs it

See the full definition for donate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

donate

verb
do·​nate | \ ˈdō-ˌnāt How to pronounce donate (audio) \
donated; donating

Kids Definition of donate

: to give as a way of helping people in need donate money donate blood

donate

verb
do·​nate
donated; donating

Legal Definition of donate

transitive verb

: to transfer by a gift or donation

intransitive verb

: to make a donation — compare give, sell

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More from Merriam-Webster on donate

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with donate

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for donate

Spanish Central: Translation of donate

Nglish: Translation of donate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of donate for Arabic Speakers

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