donation

noun

do·​na·​tion dō-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce donation (audio)
Synonyms of donationnext
: 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

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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 While there is no fee to enter the drawing, donations are encouraged to raise money for the Casting for Recovery charity. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 3 May 2024 The campaign, called Winning for Missouri Education, is backed by every major professional sports team in Missouri and has raised roughly $4 million, including high-dollar donations from the biggest mobile sports betting operators, FanDuel and DraftKings. —Anna Sago and, Kansas City Star, 2 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for donation 

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

Phrases Containing donation

Dictionary Entries Near donation

donatio

donation

donation party

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Donation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donation. Accessed 6 May. 2024.

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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

Nglish: Translation of donation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of donation for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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