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

That is borne out by the real-life strategy of the University of California endowment, run by Jagdeep Singh Bachher, who seven years ago shifted a significant portion of the fund’s assets from hedge funds, private equity and venture capital into low cost stock index funds. —Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Meanwhile, dozens of small colleges with small endowments, like Hampshire, cannot keep up. —Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026

The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is privately operated by a corporation of just under 1,000 benefactors who have an endowment of over $2 billion. —Claudia Williams, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026

For Terry, there’s a deep pride in the endowment that’s been entrusted to her care. —Brian McCollum, USA Today, 15 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