The verb "to loan" means to give something, usually money or an object, to someone for a temporary period with the agreement that it will be returned after a certain time. The person who gives out the item is called the lender and the one receiving it is known as the borrower.
A loan can also refer to a sum of money borrowed from an individual or institution, which must be repaid along with interest over a specified period of time. In this context, "loan" refers both to the act of giving out the money and the amount itself that is given.