Donation: Definition, Usage & Key Examples

Meaning 1：a gift for a cause (donation)

donation 🔊

/dəʊˈneɪʃ(ə)n/

Something (like money or goods) that is freely given to help a person or an organization.

Donation illustration: hand placing coins into a charity box labeled HELP

a gift for a cause 🔊

➕

/ə ɡɪft fɔːr ə kɔːz/

A voluntary transfer of money, goods, or services to an individual, group, or organization, typically for charitable purposes without expecting anything in return.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'donare' (to give) + suffix '-tion' indicating state or result.

💡 Mnemonic

Donate a note on a cause. Think 'DO-NATION' - something a nation or people DO to help.

📖 Example

The library's new children's section was built with a generous donation from a local business owner. 🔊 Funding for the library's new children's section came from a sizable charitable gift provided by a local entrepreneur.

🔗 Collocations

make a donation – to give money or goods to a charity or cause

generous donation – a large or significant gift

charitable donation – a gift made to a non-profit organization

🔄 Synonyms

contribution (n.) – Something given to help achieve a common goal, can be less formal than donation.

gift (n.) – Something given willingly without payment; broader term.

endowment (n.) – A large donation of money or property to an institution, often creating a permanent fund.

🚫 Antonyms

purchase (n.) – Something obtained by paying money for it.

fee (n.) – A payment made for professional services or a right.

fine (n.) – A sum imposed as a penalty for an offense.

🌱 Derivatives

donate (v.) – To give something, especially money or goods, to help a person or organization.

donor (n.) – A person or organization that gives something.

📖 Cultural Story

The concept stems from Roman and later Christian traditions of charitable giving. In modern culture, donations are central to philanthropy, crowdfunding, and non-profit sectors, often incentivized by tax deductions in many countries.