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:
You just can’t contribute more to it than what the child earned.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
The findings could eventually contribute to vaccination strategies tailored more closely to an individual's immune system.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 21, 2026
This idea became more widespread on Aug. 2, when the Dodgers acquired ace lefthander Tarik Skubal to contribute to the team’s quest for a third strait World Series title.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
"They're wanting to contribute to the community. They want to be independent of receiving financial aid and they're not able to do it - they're actually trapped in it, in some respects."
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
“In return, however, I will ask you to contribute to our little effort,” Charity says.
From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
The Almaraz plant, which contributes around seven percent of Spain's electricity production, is a key source of industry and employment in mostly rural, depopulated Extremadura.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
Every inch of this house-shaped book contributes to the subtle spookiness of our tale, starting with the cover.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
The findings suggest that this immune remodeling begins in midlife and may help explain how aging contributes to the long lasting brain inflammation often seen in neurodegenerative diseases.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026
Romanticizing extreme thinness contributes to eating disorders, which can do serious damage to the health of sufferers.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
A masterpiece, then, is a work that contributes to our vision of life and leaves us profoundly moved.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
Her data analysis has contributed to visual projects shortlisted for the 2026 Sigma Awards and recognized with two bronze awards by the Society for News Design.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 22, 2026
So for example, even if the limit is $7,500 for the year, if the child only earned $2,000 that year, only $2,000 can be contributed to the account.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
Mukhopadhyay says the #FixTheSchool campaign is an obvious next step and "the way people have contributed with videos, pointing out flaws in school infrastructure, is evidence that the movement is gaining ground".
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Multiple waves of intense heat, fuelled by climate change, have sparked devastating droughts and wildfires in several European countries this year, cut crop yields and contributed to more than 25,000 excess deaths.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
He and Krause contributed money of their own, as they have consistently over the years.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
We’re wondering whether we should continue contributing to the 529 or start directing more money elsewhere.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026
South Korea said Monday that it was in discussions with the U.S. about contributing in Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
The sheer number of guns in circulation, endemic corruption, lax enforcement of laws in all walks of life, the glorification of guns and a decades-long military culture are all contributing factors.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
"The longitudinal exploration of cardiovascular health throughout life, rather than assessing it at a single time point, could also provide further insight into the trajectory phenotypes contributing to cognitive decline by ethnicity," Vazquez said.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 16, 2026
Perhaps the self- righteous Trotter would be put into jail for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
From "The Great Gilly Hopkins" by Katherine Paterson
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.
