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

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Billionaires Bill Ackman and Len Blavatnik joined in on the call for her resignation, with Blavatnik putting a pause on his donations to the school. —Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

This huge security package builds on the Biden administration's significant final donations to Ukraine, reinforcing U.S. support as the nation faces potential cuts under the incoming Trump administration. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

By the numbers: The Carter Center's 2023 operating budget ran around $167 million, plus some $200 million from in-kind donations, mainly medicine for fighting a number of tropical diseases. —Emily Harris, Axios, 29 Dec. 2024

Liver donation surgery is more invasive than kidney surgery. —Stephanie O'Neill, NPR, 26 Dec. 2024

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

• make a donation

Kids Definition

donation

noun

do·​na·​tion dō-ˈnā-shən 

: a giving of something without charge

also : the thing given (as 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