contribute

American  

[kuhn-trib-yoot] / kənˈtrɪb yut /

verb (used with object)

contributed, contributing

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

   Synonyms:

   donate, furnish, provide

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

   to contribute stories to a magazine.

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verb (used without object)

contributed, contributing

1. to give to a common supply, fund, etc..

   He contributes to many charities.

2. to furnish written works, drawings, etc., for publication.

   Our thanks to those who contributed to our alumni newsletter.

3. to be an important factor; help to cause something.

   A sudden downpour contributed to the traffic jam.

contribute British  

/ kənˈtrɪbjuːt /

verb

1. to give (support, money, etc) for a common purpose or fund

2. to supply (ideas, opinions, etc) as part of a debate or discussion

3. (intr) to be partly instrumental (in) or responsible (for)

   drink contributed to the accident

4. to write (articles) for a publication

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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”; 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.

Example Sentences

Porter is survived by two daughters, both of whom are preparing for college, according to a GoFundMe page set up by his friends to contribute to funeral costs and support his children.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

You should aim to contribute at least 10% of your income toward retirement and gradually work your way up to 20%.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

"I hope that by sharing my own struggles, I can help in some small way to combat the stigma around it and contribute to a more open conversation."

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Their work combines ideas from evolutionary biology with findings from modern biomedical research to explain how early damage in the body may later contribute to diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and infections.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

Now I got to contribute in a more tangible way.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

• add
• commit
• devote
• give
• grant
• pony up
• share
• subsidize
• supply