participate
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
Related Words
See share 1.
Other Word Forms
- participant adjective
- participatingly adverb
- participation noun
- participative adjective
- participatively adverb
- participator noun
- participatory adjective
- unparticipated adjective
- unparticipating adjective
- unparticipative adjective
Etymology
Origin of participate
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin participātus “shared,” past participle of participāre “to share,” equivalent to particip- (stem of particeps ) “taking part, partner” ( participle ) + -āre, verb suffix
Explanation
If you take part in an activity or organization, you participate in it. For example, you participate in a conversation by listening to and talking with others, or you participate in a sport by joining a team and taking part in practices and games. You can use the verb participate to mean "be involved in" or "share in." Sometimes it is easy to figure out who participates in something — the runners in a race, the people waiting their turn to audition for a part in a play. Sometimes it isn't so obvious. If two students cause trouble but the teacher punishes the whole class, it might be that in not stopping the troublemakers, she views everyone as having participated — just being there means they were involved.
Vocabulary lists containing participate
On Your Mark, Get Set, Commence Your Life!
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Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789)
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A Résumé of Active Words
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It forms part of a wider landscape in which scientists are exploring technological solutions to help people with deterioration of physical or mental abilities enjoy their hobbies and participate in physical environments.
From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026
"It's just simply a monstrosity, but this signifies the end" of the grouping, "in which we already no longer participate," Petro earlier said on X.
From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026
Oman has also said it would participate to raise funds for reconstruction.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026
Candidates from both parties are eligible to participate due to California’s “jungle primary” system, in which all candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of political affiliation.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
“But it’s not just a piece of paper. It’s an agreement to participate in this process.”
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
