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

• 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

And unlike academics supported largely by tuition or endowments, HSPH researchers typically have had to bring in nearly all of their own research funds, including to cover their own salaries and those of staff and trainees. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025

The foundation’s other sources of income for the grants, scholarships and endowment include membership dues and by selling plaques for its Pathway of Pride in Webb Park. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025

Universities should use endowments to weather potential federal grant losses rather than compromise academic independence. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

Even Harvard, with the country’s largest endowment, cannot afford to walk away from the government, which awarded it nearly seven hundred million dollars for research in 2024. —Emma Green, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025

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