endowment

noun

en·​dow·​ment in-ˈdau̇-mənt 

en-

1

: the act or process of endowing

2

: something that is endowed

specifically : the part of an institution's income derived from donations

3

: natural capacity, power, or ability

a person of great intellectual endowment

Synonyms of endowment

• talent
• gift
• aptitude
• knack

Examples of endowment in a Sentence

The hospital's endowment was established by a local family.

The college has a large endowment.

the endowment of a hospital wing

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, questions about cost may be less of an issue for an institution like Brown, with an endowment of $8 billion. —Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025

The donated money, totaling $100,000 and intended to establish an endowment fund, disappeared, the Statesman’s investigation found. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 16 Dec. 2025

Brown University’s endowment is $8 billion, making it among the wealthiest institutions in the country. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Dec. 2025

While endowments don’t serve as a blank check, schools can still pull from them in times of need. —Todd L. Pittinsky, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

endowment

noun

en·​dow·​ment in-ˈdau̇-mənt 

1

: the providing of a permanent fund for support

also : the fund provided

a college's endowment

2

: a person's natural ability

Legal Definition

endowment

noun

en·​dow·​ment

1

: the act or process of endowing

2

: a result or product of endowing: as

a

: the income of an institution derived from donations

the university's ability to attract endowment

b

: the property (as a fund) donated to an institution or organization that is invested and producing income

an endowment to maintain the gallery

3

: an endowed organization or institution : foundation

chairwoman of the state's arts endowment

4

: endowment insurance