donation的基本意思是“捐赠”,常用来表示具有一定价值的“赠送”,赠送的方式往往是比较正式或公开的。引申可指“捐赠物”。

He received a letter of thanks for his donation of books to the Shakespeare library.他收到一封感谢信,感谢他捐书给莎士比亚图书馆。
They made a generous donation to charity.他们对慈善事业慷慨捐助。
The hospital receives a good deal of money in donations.这家医院收到捐赠来的大批款项。

donation, contribution
参见contribution条。