Synonyms

contribute

American

[kuhn-trib-yoot] / kənˈtrɪb jut /

verb (used with object)

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)

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

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Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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.

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Vocabulary lists containing contribute

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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.

See Examples For:

contribute contributes contributed contributing

Australian shortstop Caitlin Eynon hit .375 in the World Cup and could contribute to the Queens’ lineup, too.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

A Forensic Collision Investigator's report found that the car did not contribute to the collision.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

For instance, “If you contribute 4% and your employer is going to match that 4%,” that’s like getting a 100% return on your contribution.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

The brokerage’s model estimates that this road, for which the Indonesian company manages some of the toll road network, will contribute 199 billion rupiah, or 8.8% of Ebitda growth over the next three years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

However, the term “egalitarian” should not be taken to mean that all band members are equal in prestige and contribute equally to decisions.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

The second partner’s employer matches the first 6% contributed but at a 50% rate, or up to a total of 3% if the worker contributes at least 6%.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

In both scenarios, the couple contributes $480, but in the second scenario they get $30 per month more in savings.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

For every dollar a highway officer earns in compensation, the state contributes 65 cents to his pension.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

It contributes to emotional state, digestion, sleep, memory, and blood clotting.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

In addition, food production contributes in at least three ways to specific features of complex societies.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

The Associated Press and former Times staff writer Christie D’Zurilla contributed to this report.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

Rowland says early release schemes have contributed to the increase in recalls.

From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026

The quarter’s increase includes a 14% increase to its services segment which contributed $674 million.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026

"The continued industry-wide upward trend of prices also contributed to the record earnings," the company said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

The Tap-Out has not only contributed to my growth as a person, but has proven to be a fantastic learning experience in business and commerce.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

The Texas Newsroom obtained autopsies for prisoners named in the litigation, and three of those reports named heat as a contributing factor in the deaths.

From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026

That lack of confidence is probably contributing to her poor performance, says Lindsay Boccardo, a Generation-Z career coach who focuses on leadership.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026

Ugarte has benefited from nearly $1 million in independent expenditures, which differ from campaign contributions, with Airbnb contributing $302,000 to support his candidacy and the California Apartment Assn.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Fat accumulation in the liver may also have impaired the ability of pancreatic beta cells to release insulin, contributing to higher blood sugar levels in people in cluster 5.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

As part of the British Empire, India was contributing both men and supplies to Britain’s war effort.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

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