contribute
Americanverb (used with object)
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contributes,
present (3rd person singular)
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contributed,
past participle, past
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contributing
present participle
verb (used without object)
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contributes,
present (3rd person singular)
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contributed,
past participle, past
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contributing
present participle
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to give to a common supply, fund, etc..
He contributes to many charities.
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to furnish written works, drawings, etc., for publication.
Our thanks to those who contributed to our alumni newsletter.
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to be an important factor; help to cause something.
A sudden downpour contributed to the traffic jam.
verb
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to give (support, money, etc) for a common purpose or fund
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to supply (ideas, opinions, etc) as part of a debate or discussion
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(intr) to be partly instrumental (in) or responsible (for)
drink contributed to the accident
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to write (articles) for a publication
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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contributivenessnoun
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noncontributivenessnoun
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uncontributivenessnoun
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overcontributeverb
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precontributeverb (used with object)
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contributableadjective
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contributiveadjective
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noncontributableadjective
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noncontributingadjective
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noncontributiveadjective
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uncontributedadjective
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uncontributingadjective
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uncontributiveadjective
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contributivelyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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contributesimple
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contributessimple
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have contributedperfect
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has contributedperfect
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am contributingprogressive
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are contributingprogressive
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is contributingprogressive
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have been contributingperfect progressive
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has been contributingperfect progressive
Past
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contributedsimple
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had contributedperfect
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was contributingprogressive
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were contributingprogressive
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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
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
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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.
See Examples For:
Royal families from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi would contribute $24 billion to the Larry Ellison bid.
From Los Angeles Times ● 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
Variants that appeared more frequently among patients were considered more likely to contribute to the condition.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 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
How do I want to contribute to the world?
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
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
Also assisting Pat are her eccentric neighbor, Prichard Knowles, and her daughter, Sofia, who contributes tough-love tips on how her mother might improve her own insensitive behavior.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Some outlet glaciers in East Antarctica also remain vulnerable as warm ocean water melts ice shelves from below and contributes to faster ice flow.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 6, 2026
“This company is the second largest taxpayer in the state of California and as such contributes very largely to the funds of the university,” he lectured Berkeley’s research dean, A. O. Leuschner.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
The eruption disrupted air travel and contributed to poor air quality in several areas, including Jakarta.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026
Lower oil prices contributed to the brighter market mood.
From The Wall Street Journal ● 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
This has contributed to average petrol prices in the UK going above 170p a litre, the highest since 2022 and up from 150p in July.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
They all contributed items of clothing to bulk out Lyra’s bed and make it look as if she was still there, and swore to say they knew nothing about it.
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
“I was contributing to Michigan athletics at the time and continued afterward, regardless of the change in head coach,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
In people with IBD, this protective barrier can break down, contributing to inflammation, pain, and long-term complications.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 17, 2026
Jacobs and Silva jointly established the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing not only to film and television but also to developing and training performing artists in Nigeria.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
"This is contributing significantly to the rise in the cost of basic goods," said Elena Aine, a 40-year-old farmer.
From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026
Every time you use new Lady ’Stache Off with triple beauty action™, you’re contributing to our economy, our way of life.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
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.
