bestow

verb

be·​stow bi-ˈstō How to pronounce bestow (audio)
bē-
bestowed; bestowing; bestows
Synonyms of bestownext

transitive verb

1
: to put to use : apply
bestowed his spare time on study
2
: to put in a particular or appropriate place : stow
… bestowed in her car … by the chauffeur.— Frances Towers
… the whole cargo was bestowed …— R. L. Stevenson
3
: to provide with quarters : put up
… bestowed Clotilde in lodgings of her own.— Rayner Heppenstall
4
: to convey as a gift
—usually used with on or upon
The university bestowed an honorary degree upon her.
bestowal
bi-ˈstō-əl How to pronounce bestow (audio)
bē-
noun
bestower
bi-ˈstō(-ə)r How to pronounce bestow (audio)
bē-
noun

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for bestow

give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession.

give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

give alms
gave her a ride on a pony
give my love to your mother

present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

the trees afford shade
a development that affords us some hope

Examples of bestow in a Sentence

The university bestowed on her an honorary degree. bestowed a new car on their son for graduation
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.
Evidence of that is the annual Kirk Douglas Award For Excellence In Film, often one of many honors bestowed on those who also might also figure in the Oscar race. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2025 Since the proposition’s passing, the power bestowed on the California governor has been curbed slightly by court rulings over the past two decades, said Christopher Hawthorne, clinical professor of law and director of the Juvenile Innocence & Fair Sentencing Clinic at Loyola Law School. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025 This unusual celebrity baby name is technically a Japanese surname, but that didn’t stop Skai Jackson from bestowing it upon her baby girl. — Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 8 Aug. 2025 The brand's bee insignia, also a symbol for France, was bestowed upon guests as a memento of a slice of Granville in Midtown Manhattan. — Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bestow

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from be- + stowe place — more at stow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bestow was in the 14th century

Rhymes for bestow

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Browse Nearby Words

best (out) of three/five/seven
bestow
bestowment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bestow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bestow. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

bestow

verb
be·​stow bi-ˈstō How to pronounce bestow (audio)
: to present as a gift
bestowal
-ˈstō-əl How to pronounce bestow (audio)
noun
bestower noun

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