donation
noun
do·na·tion dō-ˈnā-shən 
: 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
- alms
- benefaction
- beneficence
- charity
- contribution
- philanthropy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Recent Examples on the Web MacKenzie Scott has made yet another generous donation — this time to the nonprofit organization California Community Foundation (CCF). 
Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2022 Redstone Federal Credit Union made a $3 million donation to the school. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2022 The new emails, obtained through a public records request by ProPublica and The Lever, appear to confirm that Seid made the donation. Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2022 Earlier this year, billionaire philanthropist Mackenzie Scott made a $436M donation to the leading non-profit in an effort to drive their efforts to address home insecurity among underserved families. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 26 Aug. 2022 The Republican Governors Association made a $1 million donation to the campaign of Christine Drazan, Republican nominee for Oregon governor, on Friday. oregonlive, 12 Aug. 2022 Parton made yet another $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville in June 2022, this time aimed at helping pediatric infectious disease research. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 3 Aug. 2022 Caesars made a $20,000 donation to the Diamondbacks Foundation as part of the opening ceremony. José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 21 June 2022 Two days before Fortenberry was convicted, Stewart’s reelection campaign made a $1,000 donation to Fortbenberry’s campaign. Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 June 2022 See More
Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2022 Redstone Federal Credit Union made a $3 million donation to the school. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2022 The new emails, obtained through a public records request by ProPublica and The Lever, appear to confirm that Seid made the donation. Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2022 Earlier this year, billionaire philanthropist Mackenzie Scott made a $436M donation to the leading non-profit in an effort to drive their efforts to address home insecurity among underserved families. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 26 Aug. 2022 The Republican Governors Association made a $1 million donation to the campaign of Christine Drazan, Republican nominee for Oregon governor, on Friday. oregonlive, 12 Aug. 2022 Parton made yet another $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville in June 2022, this time aimed at helping pediatric infectious disease research. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 3 Aug. 2022 Caesars made a $20,000 donation to the Diamondbacks Foundation as part of the opening ceremony. José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 21 June 2022 Two days before Fortenberry was convicted, Stewart’s reelection campaign made a $1,000 donation to Fortbenberry’s campaign. Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English donatyowne, from Latin donation-, donatio, from donare to present, from donum gift; akin to Latin dare to give — more at date
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing donation
Kids Definition
donation
noun
do·na·tion dō-ˈnā-shən
: something given to help those in need
a donation to charity
Legal Definition
donation
noun
do·na·tion
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
donation
noun
1
as in contribution
a gift of money or its equivalent to a charity, humanitarian cause, or public institution a generous donation to the orphanage from an anonymous benefactor Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- contribution
- charity
- benefaction
- offering
- philanthropy
- assistance
- grant
- alms
- bequest
- endowment
- legacy
- beneficence
- subsidy
- tithe
- aid
- welfare
- presentation
- relief
- present
- dole
- handout
- benevolence
- bestowal
- largess
- largesse
2
as in gift
something given to someone without expectation of a return a chocolate cake was my donation to the office party Synonyms & Similar Words
- gift
- presentation
- present
- contribution
- offering
- donative
- giveaway
- award
- prize
- comp
- grant
- bestowal
- freebie
- largesse
- benefaction
- freebee
- bonus
- largess
- charity
- subsidy
- generosity
- tithe
- handsel
- fairing
- tribute
- lagniappe
- alms
- bequest
- philanthropy
- sacrifice
- courtesy
- reward
- benevolence
- windfall
- dole
- handout
- box
- tip
- beneficence
- oblation
- valentine
- remembrance
- dowry
- foy
- legacy
- gratuity
- care package
- propine
- boon
- favor
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loan
- advance
- bribe
- sop
- peace offering
- douceur