endowment

noun

en·dow·ment in-ˈdau̇-mənt

en-

Synonyms of endowment

: the act or process of endowing

: something that is endowed

specifically : the part of an institution's income derived from donations

: natural capacity, power, or ability

a person of great intellectual endowment

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

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.

At stake is a nearly $50 million endowment that each side claims is theirs. — Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 The goal is to create a permanent $1 million endowment. — Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026 The college’s endowment stands at $137 million, a figure Murley hopes to increase. — Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026 The opera filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging the Kennedy Center illegally took years' worth of donor gifts, bequests and endowment funds. — Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for endowment

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of endowment was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

endow

endowment

endoxerosis

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Endowment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endowment. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

endowment

noun

en·dow·ment in-ˈdau̇-mənt

: the providing of a permanent fund for support

also : the fund provided

a college's endowment

: a person's natural ability

Legal Definition

endowment

noun

en·dow·ment

: the act or process of endowing

: a result or product of endowing: as

: the income of an institution derived from donations

the university's ability to attract endowment

: the property (as a fund) donated to an institution or organization that is invested and producing income

an endowment to maintain the gallery

: an endowed organization or institution : foundation

chairwoman of the state's arts endowment

: endowment insurance

endowment

noun

Synonyms of endowment

Examples of endowment in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Legal Definition

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