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

The Senate increased access to Pell for short-term job programs and maintains present eligibility standards, but will limit graduate student loans and raise university endowments. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025

However, in this case, Heart of the Nation says its reserves are held in an endowment, not currently being spent on renovations or capital projects. —Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025

Matching ultra-reliable, long-term loans with the the investors such as endowments, pension funds and insurers, who have an extremely long horizon, and relish getting paid more for waiting. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 17 July 2025

His goal: establish 1,000 program sites, each supported by a $4 million endowment that yields 5% annually to fund 25,000 students each year. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 10 July 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