contribute
Americanverb (used with object)
-
contributes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
contributed,
past participle, past
-
contributing
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
contributes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
contributed,
past participle, past
-
contributing
present participle
-
to give to a common supply, fund, etc..
He contributes to many charities.
-
to furnish written works, drawings, etc., for publication.
Our thanks to those who contributed to our alumni newsletter.
-
to be an important factor; help to cause something.
A sudden downpour contributed to the traffic jam.
verb
-
to give (support, money, etc) for a common purpose or fund
-
to supply (ideas, opinions, etc) as part of a debate or discussion
-
(intr) to be partly instrumental (in) or responsible (for)
drink contributed to the accident
-
to write (articles) for a publication
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
contributivenessnoun
-
noncontributivenessnoun
-
uncontributivenessnoun
-
overcontributeverb
-
precontributeverb (used with object)
-
contributableadjective
-
contributiveadjective
-
noncontributableadjective
-
noncontributingadjective
-
noncontributiveadjective
-
uncontributedadjective
-
uncontributingadjective
-
uncontributiveadjective
-
contributivelyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
contributesimple
-
contributessimple
-
have contributedperfect
-
has contributedperfect
-
am contributingprogressive
-
are contributingprogressive
-
is contributingprogressive
-
have been contributingperfect progressive
-
has been contributingperfect progressive
Past
-
contributedsimple
-
had contributedperfect
-
was contributingprogressive
-
were contributingprogressive
-
had been contributingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of contribute
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin contribūtus, past participle of contribuēre “to bring together”; see origin at con-, tribute
Explanation
To contribute something is to provide a part of the whole. When your company has their annual softball game and potluck picnic, you will probably be asked to contribute a dish, like your famous macaroni salad. Contribute comes from a Latin word that means “to bring together, add, or unite.” When you contribute to a cause, you are adding to what other people have kicked in, which makes the effort complete. You can contribute your singing talent to a traveling a cappella group; you can contribute money or time to save rhinoceroses; you can contribute cupcakes to the gymnastics team bake sale; or you can even contribute ideas on healthcare reform to a Washington think tank.
Vocabulary lists containing contribute
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
“And then we’re painted as these puppies that just keep getting beat up. I didn’t want to contribute to that.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026
Scientists have known for years that AHR can contribute to harmful effects when it is activated by certain environmental toxins.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 17, 2026
“Unlike lifesaving, and mandated, technologies like air bags, seat belts, electronic stability control and headlights, analog AM radio does not contribute to motor vehicle safety,” Bozzella said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
Now, after years of delays, a jury has found that it was possible, but not probable, that failings by the Department of Infrastructure over the tunnel in which he was found contribute to his death.
From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026
And I guess people like Merryl Abrams contribute to that, but those of us who are serious about it grin and bear a lot more than players in some “real” sports.
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
Perhaps their focus on health contributes to the generation being less inclined to suffer through such extreme conditions.
From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026
Nepal, a largely rural nation of 30 million people, contributes a fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions compared to industrialised nations.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
The results could help scientists better understand how one of nature's fundamental forces contributes to the formation of matter.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 2, 2026
Scientists are still working out exactly how much each factor contributes, but the result is clear: the background climate in which British weather happens is getting warmer.
From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026
Each of these recurrent exposures, no matter how slight, contributes to the progressive buildup of chemicals in our bodies and so to cumulative poisoning.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
The eruption disrupted air travel and contributed to poor air quality in several areas, including Jakarta.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026
Aaron Watkins apologised on behalf of Officer 3 and accepted his conduct "undoubtably" contributed to the courts and parties involved being misled, but denied it had been the result of dishonesty.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
But he added some of the features that make the model reliable may have contributed to the crash.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
“Sharp price rises for petrol and diesel pushed inflation up again,” the ONS said, adding that higher air fares and factory prices also contributed to the increase.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
Each parent contributed a set of instructions, which were decoded to create a child.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
By making intentional decisions aligned with your goals and values, leading an active social life and contributing to a cause that elevates your spirit, you’re bound to feel more happy and fulfilled.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026
Bowman believes one significant factor contributing to supervisory inaction was a long-standing culture of risk aversion.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
Cancer cells may exploit this survival mechanism, potentially contributing to tumors that return in a more aggressive and treatment-resistant form.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026
The Mediterranean Sea absorbs heat during summer, increasing evaporation and contributing to heavier rainfall when storms develop.
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026
Aru glanced at the lamp, as if it might consider contributing a few words.
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
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.
