donor

noun

do·​nor ˈdō-nər How to pronounce donor (audio)
-ˌnȯr
Synonyms of donornext
1
: one that gives, donates, or presents something
2
: one used as a source of biological material (such as blood or an organ)
3
a
: a compound capable of giving up a part (such as an atom, chemical group, or subatomic particle) for combination with an acceptor
b
: an impurity added to a semiconductor to increase the number of mobile electrons

Synonyms of donor

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Examples of donor in a Sentence

The money was raised from individual donors. She is one of the charity's major donors.
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.
While both cast themselves as fighters against corruption in Washington, Manzur has argued that Pappas has long been beholden to political donors, particularly the pro-Israel lobby. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 Britain’s populist Reform UK said two senior aides to leader Nigel Farage stepped down on Friday after an undercover investigation alleged the party had broken electoral law by arranging for a foreign donor to pay for political polling. — NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026 Román recommended that the Board of Trustees approve opening negotiations to build the housing with CTI, whose executives are Democratic political donors and made past donations to at least two community college district board members. — Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The California Republican Party is accusing its one-time finance director of stealing sensitive donor information. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for donor

Word History

Etymology

Middle English donoure, from Anglo-French doneur, from Latin donator, from donare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of donor was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing donor

Rhymes for donor

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Browse Nearby Words

Donnybrook
donor
donor card
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Cite this Entry

“Donor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/donor. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

donor

noun
do·​nor ˈdō-nər How to pronounce donor (audio)
-ˌnȯr
1
: one that donates
2
: one used as a source of bodily material or parts
a blood donor
a kidney donor

Medical Definition

donor

noun
do·​nor ˈdō-nər How to pronounce donor (audio) -ˌnȯ(ə)r How to pronounce donor (audio)
1
: one used as a source of biological material (as blood or an organ)
2
: a compound capable of giving up a part (as an atom, chemical group, or elementary particle) for combination with an acceptor

Legal Definition

donor

noun
do·​nor ˈdō-nər, -ˌnȯr How to pronounce donor (audio)
: one that gives, donates, grants, or confers something
specifically : settlor
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