Endowment
/ɪnˈdaʊmənt/
nounB2
Definition
Endowment means a special gift, usually money or property, given to help a person or organization. This gift is often saved or invested so it can provide money regularly in the future. Many schools, charities, or museums have endowments to help pay for their work.
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⚡ See It in Action
Money or property given to support an institution or cause
- •The university's endowment helps pay for scholarships.
- •The museum received a large endowment from a wealthy donor.
- •Many charities rely on endowments to fund their programs.
A natural ability or quality someone has (less common meaning)
- •She has a great endowment of intelligence and creativity.
- •His musical endowment made him a talented pianist.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "endowment" like "gift," but a very big and important gift meant to last a long time
- ✓Picture a large treasure chest that keeps giving out coins slowly to help a school or hospital
- ✓It's the feeling when someone gives you something valuable that helps you for many years
- ✓Sounds like "in-DAU-ment" → imagine someone handing you a big bag of gold coins that never runs out
- ✓Think of famous universities like Harvard or Oxford, which have large endowments to pay for teachers and buildings
- ✓NOT like a simple "present" (given once and finished), an endowment is meant to keep helping over time
- ✓NOT like "donation" which can be one-time, an endowment is often invested to give money forever
- ✓NOT like "salary" (money you earn for work), an endowment is money given freely to support something
- ✓NOT like "loan" (money you must pay back), an endowment is a gift you do not return
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Donation: money or help given, usually once (Use when the gift is one-time, not necessarily lasting)
- •Fund: money saved for a particular purpose (Use when focusing on the money set aside, not the gift itself)
- •Grant: money given by an organization for a specific reason (Use when money is given with conditions or for projects)
- •Bequest: money or property left in a will after death (Use when gift comes from someone's will)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: "endow" (to give or provide) + suffix "-ment" (a noun form showing the result or action)
- •Etymology: From Latin "dotare" meaning "to give a dowry" or gift, through Old French "endouer" meaning to provide
- •Historical development: Originally about giving money or property to support churches or schools, now used for many institutions
- •Modern usage: Often used for large sums given to universities, hospitals, and charities to provide long-term support
- •Interesting fact: Some endowments are invested so the original money stays safe, and only the earnings are spent
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does an endowment help an institution grow and stay strong over many years?
•Can people have endowments besides money? What natural qualities might be called endowments?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The university’s endowment provides ___ support because the money is ___ and invested carefully.
2.Unlike a one-time donation, an endowment is meant to ___ help an organization for a long time.
3.She was proud of her natural endowment of ___, which helped her learn quickly.
4.When a museum receives an endowment, it usually uses the ___ from the money, not the original amount.
5.The charity’s endowment allows it to plan ___ activities without worrying about immediate fundraising.
6.An endowment is NOT like a loan because the money does not have to be ___ back.
7.Many schools work hard to grow their endowment by ___ gifts from supporters.