Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sum of money saved or made available for a particular purpose: A "fund" is money that is set aside or collected for a specific use, such as a project, charity, or investment.
   • A financial organization that pools money from many people to invest: A "fund" can also refer to an institution that manages investments, like a mutual fund or pension fund.
   • A supply or stock of something non-material: Informally, a "fund" can mean a large reserve of something abstract, like knowledge or energy.

2. Verb:

   • To provide money for something: To "fund" means to furnish the financial resources needed for an activity, project, or organization.
   • To convert short-term debt into long-term debt: In finance, to "fund" debt means to consolidate it into long-term bonds.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The university established a scholarship fund for engineering students.
  • She invested her savings in a mutual fund.
  • He has a fund of funny stories from his travels.

• Verb:

  • The new research project is funded by a government grant.
  • The company plans to fund its expansion through a bond issue.

Advanced Usage

• "In funds": Having money available; financially solvent.

  • After the successful sale, the company was in funds to launch its new product.

• "Sinking fund": A fund established by setting aside revenue over time to repay a future debt.

  • The city council created a sinking fund for the eventual bridge replacement.

Variants and Related Words

• Funding (n): Money provided, especially by an organization or government, for a particular purpose.

  • The startup is seeking funding from venture capitalists.

• Fundraiser (n): A person or event that seeks to gather money for a cause.

  • The charity held a gala as its main annual fundraiser.

• Overfund (v): To provide more money than is needed.

• Underfund (v): To provide insufficient money.

Synonyms

• Noun: Reserve, endowment, pool, stockpile, treasury.
• Verb: Finance, subsidize, bankroll, capitalize, endow.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Fund" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The verb is typically used directly with an object.)

Related Idioms

• Slush fund: A reserve of money used for illicit or corrupt purposes, especially in politics.

  • The scandal involved officials using a slush fund for personal expenses.

• War chest / War fund: A reserve of funds used for fighting a war or, by extension, for a competitive struggle like an election campaign.

  • The candidate built a large war fund before the election.

Noun

1. a financial institution that sells shares to individuals and invests in securities issued by other companies
2. a supply of something available for future use
   • he brought back a large store of Cuban cigars
3. a reserve of money set aside for some purpose

Verb

1. furnish money for
   • The government funds basic research in many areas
2. accumulate a fund for the discharge of a recurrent liability
   • fund a medical care plan
3. invest money in government securities
4. provide a fund for the redemption of principal or payment of interest
5. place or store up in a fund for accumulation
6. convert (short-term floating debt) into long-term debt that bears fixed interest and is represented by bonds