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 of endow

• gift
• bless
• equip

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

The following year, John Nau III’s foundation gave $15 million to endow the Karsh Institute. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026

The family endowed the scholarship with a donation of $25,000, but after news of Tom’s death spread, someone asked her about contributing to the fund. — Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Jordyn Woods appeared in two complimentary pieces for the event, wearing a cropped jacket endowed with dramatic burgundy feathers along with a pair of Woods by Jordyn stunt sandals with matching feathers circling the thick ankle strap. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026

Much of the series is set in claustrophobic corridors, backrooms and basements, endowing it with the sense of a labyrinth that its anti-terror agents have to navigate. — John Hopewell, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026

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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing endow

• re-endow

Rhymes for endow

• allow
• avow
• chiao
• eyebrow
• highbrow
• lanao
• meow
• powwow
• somehow
• anyhow
• carabao
• disallow

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