verb

donate

To give money, goods, or something else to help a person or cause.

Neighbors donate warm coats to help families through the winter.

Etymology

The Latin verb means to give as a gift. Donate preserves that voluntary transfer, especially when the gift supports a person, institution, or cause.

More examples

  • She donates twenty dollars to the animal shelter each month.
  • I donated blood at the hospital yesterday.
  • Local lawyers are donating their time to help tenants.

Forms

donate · donates · donated · donating

donation noun — Something given to help a person or cause.

donor noun — Someone who gives to help others.

Similar words

give
Broader; does not necessarily involve helping someone or supporting a cause.
contribute
Often emphasizes giving a share toward a shared goal.