contributory
Americanadjective
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pertaining to or of the nature of contribution; contributing.
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furnishing something toward a result.
a contributory factor.
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of, relating to, or constituting an insurance or pension plan the premiums of which are paid partly by an employer and partly by employees.
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subject to contribution or levy.
noun
plural
contributoriesadjective
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(often foll by to) sharing in or being partly responsible (for the cause of something)
a contributory factor
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giving or donating to a common purpose or fund
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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
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liable or subject to a tax or levy
noun
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a person or thing that contributes
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company law a member or former member of a company liable to contribute to the assets on the winding-up of the company
Other Word Forms
- noncontributory adjective
- uncontributory adjective
Etymology
Origin of contributory
1375–1425; late Middle English contributorie < Medieval Latin contribūtōrius. See contribute, -tory 1
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 intent required for contributory liability can be shown only if the party induced the infringement or the provided service is tailored to that infringement.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
Jim Williams shared that Adam Williams’ official cause of death was atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with obesity as a contributory factor.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026
Against the backdrop of recent kidnappings, governors and traditional chiefs from 19 northern states recently dubbed illegal mining a "major contributory factor to the security crises".
From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025
An appellate court upheld the finding of willful contributory liability, which requires knowledge and a “material contribution” to the infringement.
From Slate • Nov. 28, 2025
It made me uneasy, as though the whole evening had been a trick of some sort to exact a contributory emotion from me.
From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
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.
