endow

verb

en·​dow in-ˈdau̇ 

en-

endowed; endowing; endows

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with an income

especially : to make a grant of money providing for the continuing support or maintenance of

endow a hospital

2

: to furnish with a dower

3

: to provide with something freely or naturally

endowed with a good sense of humor

Synonyms

• bless
• endue
• indue
• favor
• gift
• invest

Examples of endow in a Sentence

The wealthy couple endowed a new wing of the hospital.

She plans to endow a faculty position at the university.

The money will be used to endow the museum and research facility.

Recent Examples on the Web

Garland never explicates the real-life lead-up to civil destruction: corrupt pols who betray their constituents, the moral bankruptcy of society, the degradation of popular culture, and the temerity of rich journalists dedicated to whatever political power endows their privilege. —Armond White, National Review, 12 Apr. 2024

Nor did it faze voters in Myanmar, where many endowed her with a saintlike stature. —Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024

Furthermore, Culp's stewardship over GE's varied operations, especially its aviation branch, has endowed him with an insightful understanding of the aerospace sector's nuances and fine details. —Jim Osman, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

King endows her with unwavering eye contact and a knowing lilt, along with a sense of purpose that’s unbending, at once fearless and stubborn. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024

Roz and her husband also endowed the chair of Jewish studies at Brite Divinity School at TCU. —Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2024

That’s the outcome of a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which endowed the IRS with $80 billion in new funding over 10 years. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024

Then, at some point, some lineages of eukaryotic cells picked up this toolkit, which eventually endowed cells in multicellular organisms with a way to die for the greater good. —Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024

Other spending was focused on academic programs, including research (17.5%) and endowed faculty positions (11.1 %), operation and maintenance of campus facilities (7.4%), and other purposes (16.4 %). —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French endower, from en- + dower, douer to endow, from Latin dotare, from dot-, dos gift, dowry — more at date

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing endow

• re-endow

Kids Definition

endow

verb

en·​dow in-ˈdau̇ 

1

: to provide with money for support or maintenance

2

: to furnish with something freely or naturally

humans are endowed with reason

Legal Definition

endow

transitive verb

en·​dow in-ˈdau̇ 

: to furnish with income

especially : to make a grant of money providing for the continuing support or maintenance of

a scholarship endowed by the testator

Etymology

Anglo-French endower, from Old French en-, prefix stressing completion + douer to endow, from Latin dotare, from dot-, dos gift, dowry