bestow Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb present
    confer.
    • The university conferred a degree on its most famous former student, who never graduated
    • bestow an honor on someone
  2. verb give as a gift
  3. verb bestow a quality on
    lend; contribute; add; bring; impart.
    • Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company
    • The music added a lot to the play
    • She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings
    • This adds a light note to the program

WordNet

Be*stow" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. bestowen; pref. be- + stow a place. See Stow.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Bestowed present participle & verbal noun Bestowing
Definitions
  1. To lay up in store; to deposit for safe keeping; to stow; to place; to put. "He bestowed it in a pouch." Sir W. Scott.
    See that the women are bestowed in safety. Byron.
  2. To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength in some occupation.
  3. To expend, as money. Obs.
  4. To give or confer; to impart; -- with on or upon.
    Empire is on us bestowed. Cowper.
    Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor. 1 Cor. xiii. 3.
  5. To give in marriage.
    I could have bestowed her upon a fine gentleman. Tatler.
  6. To demean; to conduct; to behave; -- followed by a reflexive pronoun. Obs.
    How might we see Falstaff bestow himself to-night in his true colors, and not ourselves be seen ? Shak.
    Syn. -- To give; grant; present; confer; accord.

Webster 1913