donation

/doʊˈneɪʃən/

/dəʊˈneɪʃɛn/

Other forms: donations

A donation is a gift someone gives to a cause they believe in. If you have ever put a dollar into a collection plate or hat, you have made a donation.

No one has to give a donation; donations are voluntary. In addition to disease research, many schools, arts groups, museums, churches, and groups that help the poor rely on donations. Donations usually take the form of money, but giving anything away to a cause could be considered a donation — like giving books to a library or bringing deviled eggs to a school potluck.

Definitions of donation

1. noun

   a voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause
   synonyms: contribution

   types:

   benefaction

   a contribution of money or assistance

   offering

   money contributed to a religious organization

   political contribution, political donation

   a contribution made to a politician or a political campaign or a political party

   tithe

   an offering of a tenth part of some personal income

   offertory

   the offerings of the congregation at a religious service

   Peter's pence, hearth money

   an annual contribution made by Roman Catholics to support the papal see

   soft money

   political contributions made in such a way as to avoid the United States regulations for federal election campaigns (as by contributions to a political action committee)

   thank offering

   an offering made as an expression of thanks

   type of:

   gift

   something acquired without compensation
2. noun

   act of giving in common with others for a common purpose especially to a charity
   synonyms: contribution

   types:

   subscription

   a pledged contribution

   alms

   money or goods contributed to the poor

   type of:

   gift, giving

   the act of giving