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:
Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells that can contribute to the dense protective structure surrounding pancreatic tumors and some other cancers.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2026
A Sixth Form Environment Meeting gave young people the chance to present environmental issues that matter to them and contribute ideas for the future.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
On the other hand, Wall Street now has to grapple with the risk that slower job growth and the Fed’s previous rate increase could contribute to a more serious economic slowdown.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
These offer tax-free growth, and you can contribute up to $7,500 per year if you’re younger than 50.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026
It was a joy to contribute to the literature on space.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
The resulting map showed patterns of gene activity across the different cells that create and support the brain's vascular system, giving researchers a detailed way to examine how APOE4 contributes to vascular degeneration.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026
Mr. Blake contributes his “Clues,” which originally appeared on the drummer’s 2012 recording “The Eleventh Hour,” and the trio takes a groove-heavy approach balanced by Ms. Davis’s reference to Morton Feldman’s “Nature Piece 5.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
The prime minister told the BBC that it would be a system in which "everyone contributes, everyone is covered".
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
“The atmosphere created by drawing so many fans definitely contributes to their success,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
Everyone who buys the furniture will have contributed to the destruction of the forest, and the destruction of the forest contributes to the process of global warming.
From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall
Expand’s change of address has created some drama of its own: Then-CEO Domenic Dell’Osso opposed the relocation, which contributed to his decision to step down.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
But MI5 said it had identified more than 100 UK-linked academics who had contributed to projects funded by Ministry of State Security via CGTRI.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
On Thursday, an unwinding of popular hedge fund trades contributed to a selloff in French bonds—and sent investors flocking to seemingly safer government debt, including Treasurys.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
Last year’s Kennedy Center Honors gala, which recognizes artists who have contributed to American culture, was hosted by Trump and televised on CBS and Paramount.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026
“Oh, I will. As soon as I find the specific sheep that contributed to my diminishing dislike of winter, I plan to write a thank-you note.”
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
Ferrying oil directly from the Persian Gulf to global markets is also more expensive than ever, contributing to the appeal of shuttle runs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
Odebunmi again carried much of the load on Cleveland’s second drive, contributing 39 yards and scoring on a two-yard run to give the Cavaliers a 14-0 lead.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
Common arm positions used during screenings may make blood pressure appear higher than it actually is, potentially contributing to an incorrect diagnosis of hypertension.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026
At first, the flattening yield curve appeared to be contributing to the sector’s weakness.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
Haymitch finally joins us, contributing twenty-three years of tributes he was forced to mentor.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
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.
