donate

verb

do·​nate ˈdō-ˌnāt 

dō-ˈnāt

donated; donating

transitive verb

1

: to make a gift of

especially : to contribute to a public or charitable cause

2

: to transfer (a particle, such as an electron) to another atom or molecule

intransitive verb

: to make a donation

Synonyms of donate

• volunteer
• contribute
• give

Choose the Right Synonym for donate

give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession.

give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

give alms

gave her a ride on a pony

give my love to your mother

present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

the trees afford shade

a development that affords us some hope

Examples of donate in a Sentence

The computers were donated by local companies.

We donated our old clothes to charity.

people who donate money to political candidates

He donates some of his free time to volunteer work.

Everyone is encouraged to donate.

People are encouraged to donate blood.

Please sign this form if you would like to donate your organs when you die.

You can donate at the blood bank every eight weeks.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yes, people have been donating a lot of clothes. —Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

Bessent also pointed out that not many billionaires have actually delivered on their promise to donate their fortunes. —Sydney Lake, Fortune, 8 Dec. 2025

Merry says items that don’t serve a practical purpose and don’t have any sentimental value are probably best to donate, recycle, or dispose of. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 7 Dec. 2025

In recent years, Scott has donated to various educational institutions, including California State Universities in Northridge, Fullerton, Channel Islands and Pomona. —Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from donation

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing donate

• donate/give blood

Rhymes for donate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

donate

verb

do·​nate ˈdō-ˌnāt 

dō-ˈnāt

donated; donating

: to make a gift of : contribute

donate blood

donator

-ˌnāt-ər, 

-ˈnāt-

noun

Legal Definition

donate

verb

do·​nate

donated; donating

transitive verb

: to transfer by a gift or donation

intransitive verb

: to make a donation compare give, sell