1 donation | Definition of donation
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

donation

noun
do·​na·​tion | \ dō-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce donation (audio) \

Definition of donation

: the act or an instance of donating: such as
a : the making of a gift especially to a charity or public institution
b : a free contribution : gift
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about donation

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of donation in a Sentence

The organization is funded by private donations. We are grateful for the donation of whatever you can afford to give. trying to encourage the donation of blood
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Political donations have never influenced my votes or policy positions. — Victoria Mcgrane, BostonGlobe.com, "Joe Kennedy III pledges not to take cash from corporate PACs," 5 Sep. 2019 The spreadsheet does not indicate whether potential or past donations impacted the USC admissions office's decisions. — Margaret Shuttleworth, CNN, "USC admissions officials considered family potential to donate money, court filings say," 4 Sep. 2019 In addition to monetary donations, the foundation is also accepting goods. — Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE.com, "Here’s How You Can Help the Victims of Deadly Hurricane Dorian," 4 Sep. 2019 The company will match every donation to the development foundation, up to $500,000, for the Bahamas. — Chabeli Herrera, orlandosentinel.com, "After Hurricane Dorian, Royal Caribbean plans to send cruises full of supplies to Bahamas," 4 Sep. 2019 Additional donations topped $20,000 as of noon ET on Wednesday. — Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "'Proud Bahamian' Buddy Hield Donates $100,000 for Hurricane Dorian Relief," 4 Sep. 2019 The 10- to 20-gallon aquariums are provided for free to participating classrooms through fundraising and donations of equipment by student leaders and volunteers. — Janene Holzberg, baltimoresun.com, "Howard County students inspire future caretakers of the natural world," 3 Sep. 2019 The payments essentially functioned as in-kind donations to Trump's presidential campaign, prosecutors said. — Anchorage Daily News, "Congressional Dems to probe Trump’s alleged role in scheme to silence affair accusations," 3 Sep. 2019 In at least two instances, donations came from lobbyists with criminal records who have served time in federal prison. — CBS News, "Despite pledge, Biden hauls in 2020 donations from lobbyists," 3 Sep. 2019

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

See More

First Known Use of donation

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for donation

Middle English donatyowne, from Latin donation-, donatio, from donare to present, from donum gift; akin to Latin dare to give — more at date

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for donation

donation

noun
How to pronounce donation (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of donation

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

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

donation

noun
do·​na·​tion | \ dō-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce donation (audio) \

Kids Definition of donation

: something given to help those in need a donation to charity

donation

noun
do·​na·​tion

Legal Definition of donation

1 : the making of an especially charitable gift
2 in the civil law of Louisiana : a voluntary transfer of ownership of property from one person to another — compare sale
— disguised donation
: a transfer of property (as a sale) that does not have a sufficient reciprocal consideration (as a proportional price) so that it is considered a gratuitous donation and must meet the statutory requirements for a donation (as a notarial act) to be valid

— called also donation in disguise

— compare simulation
— donation inter vivos \ -​ˌin-​tər-​ˈvī-​ˌvōs, -​ˌin-​ter-​ˈvē-​ˌvōs \
: a donation that transfers property owned by the donor and that takes effect upon the donee's acceptance — compare gift inter vivos at gift
— donation mortis causa \ -​ˈmȯr-​tis-​ˈkȯ-​zə, -​ˈmȯr-​tēs-​ˈkau̇-​sä \
: a donation that is to take effect on the donor's death and that is revocable — compare gift causa mortis at gift
3 : something that is transferred by a donation

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on donation

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with donation

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for donation

Spanish Central: Translation of donation

Nglish: Translation of donation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of donation for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!