contribution
Americannoun
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the act of contributing.
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something contributed.
- Synonyms:
- benefaction, donation, gift
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an article, story, drawing, etc., furnished to a magazine or other publication.
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an impost or levy.
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Insurance. the method of distributing liability, in case of loss, among several insurers whose policies attach to the same risk.
noun
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the act of contributing
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something contributed, such as money or ideas
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an article, story, etc, contributed to a newspaper or other publication
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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
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archaic a levy, esp towards the cost of a war
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; contribute ) + -iō -ion
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 contribution that newly qualified paramedics make to patient care and the wider health system remains hugely important and deeply valued."
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
And in New Jersey, you can’t deduct your HSA contribution from your income, among other rules.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026
"We have the utmost respect for the Ukrainian people's immense efforts in defending themselves," the company said, adding: "Every single woman and man in Ukraine is making an immeasurable contribution."
From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026
In 2024, the contribution of renewable energy sources to electricity consumption across the EU increased neared 50%.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
But Malpighi’s greatest contribution to science was made as a result of work he carried out in Bologna in 1660 and 1661, and reported in two letters that were published in 1661.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
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.
