grant
GRAHNT
/ɡrɑːnt/
A sum of money given by a government or organization for a specific educational, research, or institutional purpose.
Implies earmarked funding tied to specific conditions or research objectives, requiring formal accountability.
The story behind the word. Derived from Old French 'granter' or 'creanter', meaning 'to guarantee' or 'to concede'. Originally, granting something meant officially assuring a privilege or right, which later broadened to include official gifts of money.
Word relationships
- subvention: 'Subvention' is a highly formal synonym, usually referring to institutional or government subsidies.
- levy: A levy is a mandatory fee or tax imposed, whereas a grant is funds provided.
Commonly confused with
- loan: A grant does not require repayment, whereas a loan must be repaid over time with interest.
Word family
- grantee (noun): The person or group receiving a grant.
- grantor (noun): The entity or institution providing a grant.
Collocations
- research grant
- federal grant
- grant proposal
- award a grant
Idioms & expressions
- take for granted
Example sentences
- "The university physics department secured a federal research grant to build a new laser laboratory." Scientific Research
- "The committee decided to grant additional funding to the student research project." Formal Action
Memory hook
When you GRANT money, you GRANDLY give support for research. A grant gives support for a specific start.
When not to use
Do not use 'grant' to describe unallocated general personal loans or unrestricted cash gifts.
Fun facts
- Pell Grants in the United States, established in 1965, are among the largest government educational grant programs in history, funding millions of lower-income students.
Related words
Explore more words
allowance, subsidize, philanthropic, expedition, bestow, subsidy
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