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definitions

contribute

[ kuhn-trib-yoot ]
/ kənˈtrɪb yut /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR contribute ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), con·trib·ut·ed, con·trib·ut·ing.

to give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes.
to furnish (an original written work, drawing, etc.) for publication: to contribute stories to a magazine.

verb (used without object), con·trib·ut·ed, con·trib·ut·ing.

to give (money, food, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc.: He contributes to many charities.
to furnish works for publication: He contributed to many magazines.

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RELATED WORDS

conducive, contributory, related, responsible, contributing

Nearby words

  1. contrecoup,
  2. contrecoup injury of brain,
  3. contredanse,
  4. contretemps,
  5. contrib.,
  6. contribution,
  7. contributor,
  8. contributory,
  9. contributory negligence,
  10. contrite

Idioms

    contribute to, to be an important factor in; help to cause: A sudden downpour contributed to the traffic jam.

Origin of contribute

1520–30; < Latin contribūtus past participle of contribuēre to bring together. See con-, tribute
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for contributive

British Dictionary definitions for contributive

contribute

/ (kənˈtrɪbjuːt) /

verb (often foll by to)

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
Derived Formscontributable, adjectivecontributive, adjectivecontributively, adverbcontributiveness, noun

Word Origin for contribute

C16: from Latin contribuere to collect, from tribuere to grant, bestow
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

Word Origin and History for contributive

contribute

v.

1520s, from Latin contributus, past participle of contribuere "to bring together, add, unite, collect, contribute" (see contribution). Figurative sense is from 1630s. Related: Contributed; contributing.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper