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

While Bass’ allies applauded her work on homelessness, others privately questioned how far the donations raised by LA4LA would go, arguing that billions are ultimately needed to fix the problem. —Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024

The church said it, along with the Bay Area Psychedelic Network, will set up a booth to dispense thousands of bottles of water, and any donations received will go to that non-profit organization. —Mallory Moench, TIME, 19 Apr. 2024

Centurión says Peru was not aware of the existence of Rowe’s archaeological collection prior to the donation. —Juan B. García, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024

During Saturday’s anniversary celebration, the troop will also be accepting donations for a few renovation projects, including a roof replacement, that will help the Paxson cabin transition into a new century of service. —Theresa Cisneros, Orange County Register, 18 Apr. 2024

Thomas’s project Breaking Bread NYC seeks to put community fridges throughout New York and nourish its communities with nutritious foods that are donation based. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 16 Apr. 2024

The largest donations were to the Beau Biden Foundation -- named for their late son, who died of brain cancer -- and Women’s Wellness Space, both of which received $5,000. —Fritz Farrow, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024

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

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