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

Former President Jay Hartzell established the university’s first housing endowment in late 2024 to fund scholarships aimed at making a UT education more affordable and creating more housing complexes for students. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026

Feige’s endowment, hailed as transformational, will provide a lasting source of funding for faculty, students and programmatic support for the largest and the most well-known of the school’s seven divisions. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026

This week the New York Times reported how the Metropolitan Opera — the world’s largest performing arts institution — is bleeding money, and dipping into its endowment to make up for sagging ticket sales. —Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026

The Persian Gulf is gifted with a fabulous hydrocarbon endowment, worth trillions of dollars. —Javier Blas, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 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