donate

verb do·nate \ ˈdō-ˌnāt , dō-ˈ \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: donate in a Sentence

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

Those who wish, may donate in David's name to The Humane Society of Marion County (701 NW 14th Rd, Ocala, FL 34475 or www.thehsmc.org).

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 6/10," 10 June 2018
For each bag sold, HomeGoods will donate 50 cents to the Jimmy Fund, which raises money to support cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

— julia preszler, BostonGlobe.com, "Top bank, a reusable shopping bag, and a scholarship in memory of a Salem State student," 8 June 2018
Lou Malnati’s fundraiser Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria will donate 20 percent of restaurant and carry-out sales from noon to 10 p.m. Monday, June 11, to the KidsMatter youth organization.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "This Week in Naperville," 8 June 2018
Anyone who wants to offer support can donate through the Red Cross at (414) 342-8680.

— taylor palmby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Seven children and one adult from Somali family displaced after a Milwaukee house fire," 5 June 2018
People can still donate to Crusade for Children at whascrusade.org.

— supriya sridhar, The Courier-Journal, "Crusade for Children raises $5.6 million," 4 June 2018
Season-ticket holders who choose not to donate will be limited to two 100 level sections in the southeast corner, 200 level sections in the corners and west end zone and 300 level sections around the bowl.

— j. brady mccollough, latimes.com, "Most USC season-ticket holders will have to pay more in a renovated Coliseum in 2019," 1 June 2018
During the entire month of June, Milk Makeup will donate 50 percent of the retail purchase price of both launches directly to The Center.

— karina hoshikawa, Teen Vogue, "Milk Makeup Launches Glitter Pride Month Campaign With The Center," 1 June 2018
Those who choose to donate will receive an Autism Walks bracelet.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The West Hartford Edition," 29 May 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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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