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

• contribution

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

The airport has put out green donation bins accepting nonperishable food and personal care items for unpaid federal airport workers, according to a social media post from Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. —Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025

As photos and videos of the destruction went viral on social media, his top administration aides took to their accounts to defend the project, pointing out that the ballroom was being paid for with private donations and noting other presidents have made changes to the White House. —Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025

Visitor spending in rural towns drops as trips are canceled or shortened, which affects small businesses that often contribute volunteer time or direct donations to stewardship projects. —Monica Sanders, Forbes.com, 21 Oct. 2025

The donations present the latest window into Osborn’s reliance on financial support from Democrats, a similar pattern that emerged in his 2024 campaign. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for donation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

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