donation

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One in three people were repeat donors on the site, and the average donation amount throughout the year was $77. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024 On Thursday, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos directed the company to also make a $1 million donation to Trump’s inaugural fund, a significant increase over the $58,000 Amazon gave in cash and in-kind donations to Trump’s 2017 inaugural fund. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 The league runs with the help of donations, volunteers and the city's parks department. Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Dec. 2024 Federal prosecutors have accused Adams of illegally receiving campaign donations from Turkish diplomats and businesspeople and accepting luxury travel perks from Turkish nationals, including rooms at opulent hotels, meals at high-end restaurant and free travel on a Turkish airline. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for donation 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of donation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near donation

Cite this Entry

“Donation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donation. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

donation

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

More from Merriam-Webster on donation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!