contribute
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
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
- 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.
"This is very, very, very dangerous," warned Ivana Hughes, a Columbia University chemistry lecturer and head of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, who contributed to the NPA report.
From Barron's
Those passengers contribute heavily to a carrier’s bottom line, and keeping them happy is critical to keeping them coming back and paying those pricier-than-economy fares.
From MarketWatch
The three photojournalists killed on Wednesday - one of whom contributed regularly to French news agency AFP - were reportedly working for the Egyptian Relief Committee in the Gaza Strip to film its camps for displaced people.
From BBC
Crossroads 62, Campbell Hall 60: Evan Willis contributed 17 points and 14 rebounds for the Roadrunners.
From Los Angeles Times
The government cited pressures on the economy and has repeatedly said that it hopes to contribute to the fund in the future, and that it will encourage private sector investment.
From BBC
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.
