contribute

American

[kuhn-trib-yoot] / kənˈtrɪb yut /

verb (used with object)

contributed, contributing

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

Synonyms:

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

to contribute stories to a magazine.

verb (used without object)

contributed, contributing

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.

contribute British

/ kənˈtrɪbjuːt /

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Litchfield said residents could also contribute to Guernsey's biodiversity by helping to get rid of invasive non-native species, like stinking onions and wild leek.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

However, they are also known to contribute to inflammation in conditions such as COPD.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

“Higher energy prices would remain an economic drag which would contribute to keeping major equity indices from immediately returning to their previous highs,” he wrote in an update published Wednesday.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

France and Canada—pledged “our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

It’s not a lot, but maybe I could contribute.

From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023