contribute

American

[kuhn-trib-yoot] / kənˈtrɪb yut /

verb (used with object)

contributed, contributing

to give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes.

Synonyms:

donate, furnish, provide
to furnish (an original written work, drawing, etc.) for publication.

to contribute stories to a magazine.

verb (used without object)

contributed, contributing

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.

contribute British

/ kənˈtrɪbjuːt /

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

contributable adjective
contributive adjective
contributively adverb
contributiveness noun
noncontributable adjective
noncontributing adjective
noncontributive adjective
noncontributiveness noun
overcontribute verb
precontribute verb (used with object)
uncontributed adjective
uncontributing adjective
uncontributive adjective
uncontributiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of contribute

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin contribūtus, past participle of contribuēre “to bring together”; con-, tribute

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.

Another factor that contributes to the network creaking in places is a legacy of underinvestment.

From BBC

The EU would be expected to contribute $100 billion for reconstruction, and the remainder would be placed in “separate U.S.-Russian investment vehicle” for “joint projects in specific areas.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The artificial-intelligence trade has come under pressure recently, contributing to the stock market’s woes.

From MarketWatch

The most common contributing factors are obesity, pregnancy and postpartum changes, constipation and prolonged sitting on the toilet, which is getting lengthier due to cellphone use in the bathroom, Rezaie said.

From The Wall Street Journal

You can’t contribute to an IRA — or a Roth IRA, for that matter — if you don’t have earned income.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023