Endowment refers to an amount of money or property that is given or donated for a specific purpose, such as supporting education, research, or charitable causes. It can also refer to funds set aside for a particular use, often in perpetuity, and managed by a trustee or board of directors. In the context of insurance policies, endowment refers to a type of life insurance that is designed to pay out a lump sum after a specified period of time, typically 10-20 years, during which the policyholder pays regular premiums. The policy may also accumulate cash value over time, which can be borrowed against or withdrawn by the policyholder under certain conditions.