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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uncontributivenessnoun
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uncontributingadjective
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noncontributivenessnoun
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overcontributeverb
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contributivenessnoun
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contributivelyadverb
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contributableadjective
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noncontributingadjective
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noncontributiveadjective
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uncontributiveadjective
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precontributeverb (used with object)
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noncontributableadjective
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uncontributedadjective
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contributiveadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has contributedperfect 3rd person singular
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have contributedperfect
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has been contributingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am contributingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been contributingperfect progressive
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is contributingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are contributingprogressive
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contributingparticiple
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contributessingular 3rd person
Past
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had contributedperfect
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were contributingprogressive plural
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was contributingprogressive singular
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had been contributingperfect progressive
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contributedsimple
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contributedparticiple
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
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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.
The bulk of that comes from undefined enterprise applications, which SpaceX said will contribute to $22.7 trillion of the TAM.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026
New dads face psychological pressures, from sleepless nights to sky-high bills, which can contribute to postpartum depression.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
GSK expects Nuvalent’s two leading lung-cancer drugs to contribute to its revenue growth starting in 2027.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
Shah admits that Uncle Sam could contribute to volatility, as markets try to handicap these potential worries.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
And I guess people like Merryl Abrams contribute to that, but those of us who are serious about it grin and bear a lot more than players in some “real” sports.
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
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.
