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

Resource endowment alone does not secure long-term advantage. —Pandu Sjahrir, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026

Under his leadership, the foundation tripled its endowment. —Arkansas Online, 11 Apr. 2026

Mercer Private Investment Partners VIII has drawn capital commitment from institutional investors including wealth managers, endowments, insurers and pension funds, according to a statement reviewed by Bloomberg News. —Crystal Tse, Bloomberg, 9 Apr. 2026

The issue has been met with support on both sides of the aisle, with lawmakers seeing many ways Connecticut families and the state economy as a whole stand to benefit from the vision of the endowment. —Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026

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