donation

noun

do·​na·​tion dō-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce donation (audio)
: the act or an instance of donating: such as
a
: the making of a gift especially to a charity or public institution
b
: a free contribution : gift

Examples of donation in a Sentence

The organization is funded by private donations. We are grateful for the donation of whatever you can afford to give. trying to encourage the donation of blood
Recent Examples on the Web Also, donations of Poly-Fil stuffing and fabric are appreciated. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024 Financial donations to help those affected will be managed by the Community Foundation of Randolph County, McCoy said. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 15 Mar. 2024 Brosnan will pay a $500 fine and a community service donation of $1,000 to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the park. Natalia Senanayake, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 Among the largest donations to Kennedy's bid is also the strangest: more than $100,000 worth of alpaca shawls, handed out to the roughly 250 people who attended Kennedy's birthday party earlier this winter. Will McDuffie, ABC News, 14 Mar. 2024 Proceeds from the thrift shop will support the church and its schools, and the donation of goods to local homeless and animal ministries. Andrea Manes, Orange County Register, 14 Mar. 2024 Bezos and Sánchez pledged $100 million to recovery efforts in Maui after the devastating wildfires in 2023, though the donation has come under scrutiny. Jake Tapper, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 News of the art donation and museum is just the latest chapter in the Hedreens’ involvement with SU. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 The new budget means Denmark will spend 2.4% of its GDP this year on defense when including Ukrainian aid, and from next year 2% without including the donations, Frederiksen said. Sanne Wass, Fortune Europe, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'donation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English donatyowne, from Latin donation-, donatio, from donare to present, from donum gift; akin to Latin dare to give — more at date

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of donation was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near donation

Cite this Entry

“Donation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donation. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

donation

noun
do·​na·​tion dō-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce donation (audio)
: a giving of something without charge
also : the thing given (as to charity)

Legal Definition

donation

noun
do·​na·​tion
1
: the making of an especially charitable gift
2
in the civil law of Louisiana : a voluntary transfer of ownership of property from one person to another compare sale
disguised donation
: a transfer of property (as a sale) that does not have a sufficient reciprocal consideration (as a proportional price) so that it is considered a gratuitous donation and must meet the statutory requirements for a donation (as a notarial act) to be valid

called also donation in disguise

compare simulation
donation inter vivos \ -​ˌin-​tər-​ˈvī-​ˌvōs, -​ˌin-​ter-​ˈvē-​ˌvōs \
: a donation that transfers property owned by the donor and that takes effect upon the donee's acceptance compare gift inter vivos at gift
donation mortis causa \ -​ˈmȯr-​tis-​ˈkȯ-​zə, -​ˈmȯr-​tēs-​ˈkau̇-​sä \
: a donation that is to take effect on the donor's death and that is revocable compare gift causa mortis at gift
3
: something that is transferred by a donation

More from Merriam-Webster on donation

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