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

Washington also bars its pension funds and college endowments from investing into Chinese firms developing sensitive technologies. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 July 2026

The effects have been felt most acutely at schools with small endowments and those that enroll large percentages of international students recruited from abroad. — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

Its remaining assets were transferred to 46 schools, which were tasked with creating their own La Verne Noyes endowments that were tasked with following the original mission. — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

Although the Smithsonian does have an endowment that could theoretically keep it afloat, the withholding of funding could bring about closures. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 16 July 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