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 of donor

• donator
• benefactor
• contributor
• patron

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

With no match found within the family, the Manolis family turned to their community, sharing a public plea through local news and social media in hopes of finding a donor. —Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

Progressives want the party to adopt official language that all Democratic presidential contenders oppose money from dark-money groups, or super PACs that aren’t required to disclose their donors. —Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026

Nancy has not yet been found, despite nearly two months of searches, an ongoing investigation, and a $1 million reward from the Guthrie family, as well as $100,000 from the FBI, $100,000 from an anonymous donor, and $2,500 from anonymous tip line 88-CRIME. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026

Adelson is the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and is a physician, philanthropist, and major GOP donor. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026

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