- 1(especially North American English) to lend something to somebody, especially money loan something (to somebody) The bank is happy to loan money to small businesses. loan somebody something A friend loaned me $1 000.
- 2(especially British English) to lend a valuable object to a museum, etc. loan something (out) (to somebody/something) This exhibit was kindly loaned by the artist's family. loan somebody something He loaned the museum his entire collection. Word OriginMiddle English (also denoting a gift from a superior): from Old Norse lán, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch leen, German Lehn, also to lend.Extra examples Costumes were kindly loaned by the Civic Theatre. The painting has been loaned to the Walker Art Gallery. A friend loaned me $1 000. This exhibit was kindly loaned by the artist’s family.
loan
verbBrE BrE//ləʊn//; NAmE NAmE//loʊn//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they loan BrE BrE//ləʊn//; NAmE NAmE//loʊn//
he / she / it loans BrE BrE//ləʊnz//; NAmE NAmE//loʊnz//
past simple loaned BrE BrE//ləʊnd//; NAmE NAmE//loʊnd//
past participle loaned BrE BrE//ləʊnd//; NAmE NAmE//loʊnd//
-ing form loaning BrE BrE//ˈləʊnɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈloʊnɪŋ//
Buying a homeCheck pronunciation: loan
