Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Donation has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
a voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause
"The local library received a generous donation from several community members to buy new books for their children's section."
act of giving in common with others for a common purpose especially to a charity
"The annual fundraising event relies heavily on crowd donations to cover the costs of the community food drive."
A voluntary gift or contribution for a specific cause.
"After the hurricane, she made a substantial donation to help rebuild the local community center."
In plain English: A donation is money or items you give to help someone else without expecting anything back.
"She made a generous donation to the local animal shelter."
Usage: Use donation to describe money or goods given freely to support a charity, religious group, or public cause. It specifically implies that the giver expects no financial return in exchange for their contribution.
Donation entered English in the 15th century, traveling from Middle French and Latin where it originally meant "a present." The word is built on the root dōnō, which means "to give," reflecting its core sense of a gift given freely.