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

• bestow
• contribute
• give
• give away
• present
• volunteer

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

In short, the legislation currently bouncing around Congress would, at least temporarily, allow anyone who donates to charity to get a tax break — not just the mega-philanthropists among us. —Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 19 June 2025

Within months, her book earned multiple international awards, opened doors to speaking engagements and inspired her to launch initiatives that aligned with her purpose—donating all 2024 proceeds to charity and expanding her message into educational spaces across the UAE and beyond. —Michelle Gines, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

The tournament also donates 100 percent of its net proceeds to charity every year, generating more than $3.2 million for 200 charities throughout the New England region in 2024. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 18 June 2025

This past October, Parton partnered with the Dollywood Foundation to donate $2 million to relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 June 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