What does bestowing mean?
"Bestowing" is the present participle and gerund of the verb "bestow," meaning to give or confer something, typically with formality, ceremony, or generosity. It carries a dignified, elevated tone and appears most often in contexts involving honours, titles, awards, blessings, or privileges — one speaks of bestowing a knighthood, a gift, or praise upon someone. The word can also describe devoting intangible things like time, care, or affection to a person or task, though this usage is now somewhat literary. Grammatically, it functions both as part of progressive verb forms ('is bestowing') and as a noun-like gerund ('the bestowing of awards'). Because it implies deliberate, often gracious giving rather than casual handing-over, "bestowing" lends weight and ceremony to whatever act of giving it describes, making it a favourite of formal writing, journalism, and historical narrative alike.
verb (present participle and gerund of "bestow")The act of giving something, especially as an honour or gift; to confer or present something formally upon someone.
- To confer or present something formally, especially as an honour, gift, or title.
- To apply or devote something, such as time, care, or attention, to someone or something.
"The university is bestowing an honorary degree on the retiring professor."
"The Queen was bestowing knighthoods on several distinguished scientists that morning."
"She spent years bestowing careful attention on every detail of the restoration."
In medieval England, kings literally 'stowed' honours upon their subjects — the word comes from 'be-' plus 'stow', meaning to place something carefully in position.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bestowing
Bestowing derives from the verb "bestow", formed in Middle English from the prefix "be-" combined with "stow", meaning to place or put in a particular position. The root "stow" itself traces back to Old English "stōw", meaning a place or spot. Originally, "bestow" carried the literal sense of placing or storing something somewhere, before shifting by the sixteenth century toward its modern figurative sense of conferring gifts or honours. It shares its Germanic roots with related English words such as "stow" and "stowage".
Related word forms
How bestowing is actually used
Formal register; common in ceremonial, literary, and journalistic contexts. Typically followed by 'on' or 'upon' when indicating the recipient. The second sense (devoting time/care) is somewhat dated but still found in formal writing.
Easily confused with bestowing
"Bestow" is the base verb in the infinitive form, while "bestowing" is its present participle or gerund form used for ongoing action.