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noun Uncommon

endowment

ihn-DOW-muhnt

Endowment (noun) means a sum of money or property given to an institution to provide it with ongoing income. Example: “The college relies on its endowment to fund scholarships.”

noun
1
A sum of money or property given to an institution to provide it with ongoing income.
"The college relies on its endowment to fund scholarships."
2
A natural talent or quality someone possesses.
"His musical endowment was clear from a young age."

How to use endowment

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA gift of money that funds something long-term, or a natural gift or ability.

Common pairings
endowment fund university endowment

Word forms

endowments plural

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The college relies on its _____ to fund scholarships.

Etymology

From Middle English endowement, from endow plus -ment.

Origin: Middle English

gift talent endowment fund natural endowment

Related words

Frequently asked questions

What does “endowment” mean?

The word “endowment” means a sum of money or property given to an institution to provide it with ongoing income. In plain terms, a gift of money that funds something long-term, or a natural gift or ability.

How do you pronounce “endowment”?

“Endowment” is pronounced ihn-DOW-muhnt (/ɛnˈdaʊmənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “endowment” in a sentence?

Here is “endowment” used in a sentence: “The college relies on its endowment to fund scholarships.”

What part of speech is “endowment”?

“Endowment” is a noun.

Where does the word “endowment” come from?

The word “endowment” comes from Middle English. From Middle English endowement, from endow plus -ment.

Is “endowment” a common word?

“Endowment” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “endowment” have?

“Endowment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sum of money or property given to an institution to provide it with ongoing income.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial