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

OpenAI plans to contribute up to $1.5 billion of its own cash—$500 million at the outset, with an additional possible $1 billion—to disseminate its enterprise tools among portfolio companies owned by private-equity firms.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

The retirement-account match may be a powerful incentive for workers, who tend to contribute more when employers match their contribution, the Congressional Budget Office found in 2019.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026

These conditions are thought to contribute to the growing global burden of Alzheimer's.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

Advocates describe them as law-abiding members of their communities who contribute to the economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Poor people of color, like other Americans—indeed like nearly everyone around the world—want safe streets, peaceful communities, healthy families, good jobs, and meaningful opportunities to contribute to society.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

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