donate

verb

do·​nate ˈdō-ˌnāt How to pronounce donate (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Anyone in South Florida can donate time or money to ROWW. Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 3 Mar. 2025 While Black patients generously made up almost 15% of donors who donated organs after death in 2024, this still leaves a racial imbalance in the pool of donors compared to the many more who need a transplant. Andrew Jones, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2025 And just days before, Lucy Dacus pledged $10,000 to GoFundMe campaigns for trans surgeries and encouraged her followers on X to donate, too. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2025 People also offered to donate money via Venmo, allowing Felkamp to gather a little over $1,000 and select four winners. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for donate

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from donation

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of donate was in 1785

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Donate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

donate

verb
do·​nate ˈdō-ˌnāt How to pronounce donate (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on donate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!