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

Per the plan, the gift amount will establish an endowment designed to support the program in perpetuity, thereby benefiting generations of students. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Two pieces by Lichtenstein and Warhol from the Sonnabend Collection Mantova, a museum Antonio helped open in northern Italy in 2025, will also be sold to build an endowment for the museum. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 14 Sep. 2026

The University of Hartford has a $220 million endowment, according to the university. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026

The other half will go toward Americares’ endowment, Squires said. — James Pollard, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 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