donor

noun

do·​nor ˈdō-nər 

-ˌnȯr

1

: one that gives, donates, or presents something

2

: one used as a source of biological material (such as blood or an organ)

3

a

: a compound capable of giving up a part (such as an atom, chemical group, or subatomic particle) for combination with an acceptor

b

: an impurity added to a semiconductor to increase the number of mobile electrons

Synonyms

• angel
• benefactor
• donator
• fairy godmother
• Maecenas
• patron
• sugar daddy

Examples of donor in a Sentence

The money was raised from individual donors.

She is one of the charity's major donors.

Recent Examples on the Web

In response, McLean and the City Council made the Pride flag and an organ donor flag official flags of the city, which are allowed under the law. —Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 16 May 2025

Yet, too often, nonprofits are forced to operate in a state of financial precarity, relying on a single source of funding or scrambling to adjust to shifting donor priorities. —Firaaz Azeez, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

People typically wait about three to five years for a donor kidney. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 14 May 2025

The build starts at $149,000, which doesn’t include the donor vehicle. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English donoure, from Anglo-French doneur, from Latin donator, from donare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing donor

• donor card
• sperm donor
• universal donor

Rhymes for donor

• kroner
• kronor
• loner
• owner
• stoner
• toner
• homeowner
• landowner
• shipowner

Kids Definition

donor

noun

do·​nor ˈdō-nər 

-ˌnȯr

1

: one that donates

2

: one used as a source of bodily material or parts

a blood donor

a kidney donor

Medical Definition

donor

noun

do·​nor ˈdō-nər  -ˌnȯ(ə)r 

1

: one used as a source of biological material (as blood or an organ)

2

: a compound capable of giving up a part (as an atom, chemical group, or elementary particle) for combination with an acceptor

Legal Definition

donor

noun

do·​nor ˈdō-nər, -ˌnȯr 

: one that gives, donates, grants, or confers something

specifically : settlor