contribute
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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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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overcontributeverb
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noncontributivenessnoun
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contributivelyadverb
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contributableadjective
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uncontributingadjective
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uncontributivenessnoun
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contributiveadjective
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uncontributiveadjective
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noncontributableadjective
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precontributeverb (used with object)
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uncontributedadjective
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noncontributingadjective
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noncontributiveadjective
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.
If they’re going to contribute all of it — roughly three times as much — what’s their incentive?
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026
A variety of factors contribute to career stagnation, even among professionals who are gainfully employed or switch jobs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
He said the investment will create jobs, strengthen France’s digital infrastructure, and contribute to its goal of “digital sovereignty.”
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
If further developed, the technology could contribute to advances in secure communications, advanced sensing, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and other emerging applications.
From Science Daily • May 30, 2026
Realizing the gravity of the situation, they started rummaging around in their pockets and backpacks for anything they could contribute to the cause.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
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.
