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

The Met will need to gather $200 million for an endowment to steward the Neue Galerie, which Lauder and his daughter, Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer, will reportedly give some funds toward, as well as 13 works from their collection. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026

Lauder, who is heir to the Estée Lauder Companies, and his daughter, Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer, plan to make a major gift that will fund a $200 million endowment assuring the long-term care of the Neue Galerie and the preservation of its works. —News Desk, Artforum, 14 May 2026

What would happen if the foundation had a $40 million endowment? —Daniel Kohn, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

The Seminole Boosters used endowment funds on a three-phase development that added a hotel, student housing, dining and retail. —Matt Baker, New York Times, 12 May 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