endowment

noun

en·​dow·​ment in-ˈdau̇-mənt How to pronounce endowment (audio)
en-
1
: the act or process of endowing
2
: something that is endowed
specifically : the part of an institution's income derived from donations
3
: 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.
Republicans have introduced two bills that would tax universities’ endowments and potentially hurt their finances more than cuts to science grants. Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2025 Only the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra was recommended to receive funding in a grant program that builds endowments — but the Legislature hasn’t funded that particular initiative in years. Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025 But The Farm has a $37 billion endowment — third in the U.S. behind only Harvard and Yale. Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2025 Hundreds of Jewish institutions have published climate action plans, several have pledged to divest their endowments from fossil fuels, and the Schusterman Foundation, which was built on oil wealth, recently made its first grant to a climate group. Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Endowment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endowment. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

endowment

noun
en·​dow·​ment in-ˈdau̇-mənt How to pronounce endowment (audio)
1
: the providing of a permanent fund for support
also : the fund provided
a college's endowment
2
: a person's natural ability

Legal Definition

endowment

noun
en·​dow·​ment
1
: the act or process of endowing
2
: a result or product of endowing: as
a
: the income of an institution derived from donations
the university's ability to attract endowment
b
: the property (as a fund) donated to an institution or organization that is invested and producing income
an endowment to maintain the gallery
3
: an endowed organization or institution : foundation
chairwoman of the state's arts endowment
4

More from Merriam-Webster on endowment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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