donate

verb do·nate \ ˈdō-ˌnāt , dō-ˈ \

Updated on: 7 Apr 2018

Definition of donate

donated; donating

transitive verb

1 : to make a gift of; especially : to contribute to a public or charitable cause

2 : to transfer (a particle, such as an electron) to another atom or molecule

intransitive verb

: to make a donation

See donate defined for English-language learners

See donate defined for kids

Examples of donate in a Sentence

The computers were donated by local companies.
We donated our old clothes to charity.
people who donate money to political candidates
He donates some of his free time to volunteer work.
Everyone is encouraged to donate.
People are encouraged to donate blood.
Please sign this form if you would like to donate your organs when you die.
You can donate at the blood bank every eight weeks.

Recent Examples of donate from the Web

People who donated received a free t-shirt from Gulf Coast and a goody bag from Health Source.

— kaila contreras, Houston Chronicle, "Lake Houston area residents help save lives at blood drive in Atascocita," 30 Mar. 2018
Video surveillance was checked and officers attempted to reach the person who donated it, the police report said.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Replica revolver donated at Brookfield Goodwill," 28 Mar. 2018
The General Assembly gave final approval to legislation Monday night that would give a tax break to individuals who donate all or part of an organ to another person.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Maryland legislature approves Busch bill giving tax break to living transplant donors," 27 Mar. 2018
There on the tray, amid steam, lies the skeleton of a 90-year-old woman who donated her body to the medical school.

— hayley campbell, WIRED, "A New Way to Dispose of Corpses—With Chemistry!," 27 Mar. 2018
Schwartz gathered oral histories from the woman, who has since died from cancer, as well as from many others who donated items.

— janine eduljee, NBC News, "Museums across the nation work to archive mementos of grief left after shootings," 24 Mar. 2018
Super Sunday volunteers spent many hours making phone calls to donors in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach and connected to 511 people who all donated funds and helped Federation reach its financial goal for the event.

— marvin glassman, Jewish Journal, "Fundraisers meet goals for Palm Beach County Jewish agencies," 22 Mar. 2018
So do the wealthy individuals who are donating to his increasingly aggressive fundraising efforts.

— matthew yglesias, Vox, "Donald Trump’s threat to the rule of law is much bigger than Robert Mueller," 19 Mar. 2018
Almost $17,000 was raised by 150 people who donated to an online GoFundMe account organized by their Dr. Kurt Iverson, a local dentist and bishop at their church.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Preston School Board meets this week — but alleged animal cruelty case not on agenda | Idaho Statesman," 19 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'donate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of donate

back-formation from donation

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1785

See Words from the same year

donate Synonyms

Phrases

give of;

Synonym Discussion of donate

give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession. give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

- give alms
- gave her a ride on a pony
- give my love to your mother

present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

- present an award

donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

- donate a piano to the orphanage

bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

- bestow unwanted advice

confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

- confer an honorary degree

afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

- the trees afford shade
- a development that affords us some hope

DONATE Defined for English Language Learners

donate

verb

Definition of donate for English Language Learners

: to give (money, food, clothes, etc.) in order to help a person or organization
: to give (blood, a body organ, etc.) to a hospital or other medical organization so that it can be given to someone who needs it