contribution

American  

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

noun

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

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

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

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission increased streaming operators’ contribution to 15% of Canadian revenue from 5%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Sir Keir said the data showed that his government was "delivering", adding: "I know there's more to do, we're introducing a skills-based migration system that rewards contribution and ends our reliance on cheap overseas workers."

From BBC • May 21, 2026

And it has resulted in what just might be his only positive contribution to American life.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

But perhaps the biggest contribution he made is simply the inspiration he’s provided others.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Teller’s contribution was a warning that the United States could never devise a foolproof monitoring regime to guard against clandestine testing by the Soviets.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Related Words

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