contributory

[ kuhn-trib-yuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of contribution; contributing.
2. furnishing something toward a result:

   a contributory factor.

   Synonyms: ancillary, accessory

3. of, relating to, or constituting an insurance or pension plan the premiums of which are paid partly by an employer and partly by employees.
4. subject to contribution or levy.

noun

, plural con·trib·u·to·ries.

1. a person or thing that contributes.

contributory

/ kənˈtrɪbjʊtərɪ; -trɪ /

adjective

1. often foll by to sharing in or being partly responsible (for the cause of something)

   a contributory factor

2. giving or donating to a common purpose or fund
3. of, relating to, or designating an insurance or pension scheme in which the premiums are paid partly by the employer and partly by the employees who benefit from it
4. liable or subject to a tax or levy

noun

1. a person or thing that contributes
2. company law a member or former member of a company liable to contribute to the assets on the winding-up of the company

Other Words From

• noncon·tribu·tory adjective noun plural noncontributories
• uncon·tribu·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contributory¹

1375–1425; late Middle English contributorie < Medieval Latin contribūtōrius. See contribute, -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Your genotypic score for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, summarizing the effects of many contributory genes, could prompt doctors to start monitoring you early.

From Washington Post

Although the palace has only given the bare minimum of detail as to why exactly the queen was unable to make it to the event, it has been widely reported that the car ride from Windsor to London, about 40 minutes each way, was a contributory factor.

From The Daily Beast

Every October, the country largely ignores Filipino American History Month, which is a shame, given the enormous, contributory role Filipino Americans have played in shaping the American experience for everyone.

From Fortune

He contracted Hepatitis C from drug use, which was a contributory factor in his death.

From The Daily Beast

He was a strong athletic young man, in spite of his long hair—or might that have been, as in Samson's case, a contributory cause?

From Project Gutenberg

Another contributory source to this oddest freak of my life was the terms on which I had returned to the college.

From Project Gutenberg

The expression “contributory place” means a place other than a parish chargeable with special expenses.

From Project Gutenberg

But we may well consider these reconstructions as contributory essays and experiments in the general constructive effort.

From Project Gutenberg

This warfare finds contributory causes in tribal migrations.

From Project Gutenberg