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

Astronomers Without Borders is collecting glasses to then disperse the donations across the globe for the next eclipse. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

The league hopes to promote structure for the kids and teens to prevent violence among the city's youth and is funded by Hampton and donations from the community. —Jade Thomas, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Apr. 2024

Her campaign did not deny the donation, and declined to respond to Vogel’s criticisms on the record. —Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 9 Apr. 2024

The union also accepted donations from developers, Sempra Energy and other companies whose business models are based on policies that Democrats traditionally oppose, the union’s campaign filings show. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024

Campaign fundraising reports filed with the Federal Election Commission detailing donations from Saturday's event are not expected until a mid-July filing date. —Michelle L. Price, Quartz, 6 Apr. 2024

Instead of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to the John Wesly Coleman Jr Memorial Scholarship Fund, a memorial set up in Coleman's name at Finneytown High School. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 4 Apr. 2024

Through a nearly $1.6 million donation, the Zilber Family Foundation aims to put money directly in the hands of women and mothers to purchase food or diapers, pay rent or catch up on bills. —Jessica Van Egeren, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024

The shelter, which relies on donations for 78% of its budget, had $6.9 million in revenue but $7.4 million in expenses in 2022, according to income tax filings. —John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 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