contribution

American  

[kon-truh-byoo-shuhn] / ˌkɒn trəˈbju ʃən /

noun

• contributions
  plural

1. 

   the act of contributing.

2. something contributed.

   Synonyms:

   benefaction, donation, gift

3. an article, story, drawing, etc., furnished to a magazine or other publication.

4. an impost or levy.

5. Insurance. the method of distributing liability, in case of loss, among several insurers whose policies attach to the same risk.

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contribution British  

/ ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of contributing

2. something contributed, such as money or ideas

3. an article, story, etc, contributed to a newspaper or other publication

4. insurance a portion of the total liability incumbent on each of two or more companies for a risk with respect to which all of them have issued policies

5. archaic a levy, esp towards the cost of a war

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncontribution
  noun
• overcontribution
  noun
• precontribution
  noun
• supercontribution
  noun
• contributional
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• contributions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of contribution

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English contribucio(u)n, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin contribūtiōn-, stem of contribūtiō “payment, distribution,” literally, “a bringing together,” equivalent to contribūt(us) “brought together” (past participle of contribuere; see contribute) + -iō -ion

Explanation

When you make a contribution, it means you're giving something away — whether it's your money, your possessions, or your time. A contribution can take many forms. Some contributions are measurable, like a $10 donation to the Salvation Army. Others are less tangible. When a student raises his hand in class to ask a question, he's making a contribution, because the answer to his question enriches the other students' learning experience.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

contribution contributions

The letter aligns with the Commission’s work and is a valuable contribution to a continuing debate over how to address economic risks and imbalances, a spokesman said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

The tribute, at the M Shed in Bristol, recognises the space probe landing on Mars on Christmas Day 2003 and honours the contribution to the mission of the late Bristol-born scientist Professor Colin Pillinger.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Investors can either make a "direct, non-refundable contribution of $350,000 to the National Treasury" or "subscribe to an $800,000 government bond created specifically" for the purpose.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

A traditional IRA offers tax-deferred growth and also has a contribution limit of $7,500.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

My family’s contribution was more than my father said he could afford and he would not pay it.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Many scientists have made significant contributions in the field, though three regularly mentioned for the Nobel are Canadian endocrinologist Daniel Drucker, Danish physician Jens Juul Holst and Yugoslav-born American chemist Svetlana Mojsov.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

Employers would be exempt from paying National Insurance contributions, but would have to provide in-job training, the party says.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

Digital Nasional’s recent 5.2 billion ringgit financing could reduce the capital contributions currently expected from CelcomDigi and Maxis, although details of the funding structure remain unclear, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

I currently work at a company that matches contributions, which is a great benefit, but I’m curious if there are better options, especially for someone always expecting the next layoff and potential career pivots.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

Something that made them think it’d be riskier to educate him than to sacrifice his possible contributions to society.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• addition
• donation
• grant
• improvement
• increase
• input