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Synonyms

contribute

American

[kuhn-trib-yoot] / kənˈtrɪb jut /

verb (used with object)

to give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes.

Synonyms:

donate, furnish, provide
to furnish (an original written work, drawing, etc.) for publication.

to contribute stories to a magazine.

verb (used without object)

to give to a common supply, fund, etc..

He contributes to many charities.
to furnish written works, drawings, etc., for publication.

Our thanks to those who contributed to our alumni newsletter.
to be an important factor; help to cause something.

A sudden downpour contributed to the traffic jam.

contribute British

/ kənˈtrɪbjuːt /

verb

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

"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

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Conjugated Forms

Present

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Etymology

Origin of contribute

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin contribūtus, past participle of contribuēre “to bring together”; see origin at con-, tribute

Explanation

To contribute something is to provide a part of the whole. When your company has their annual softball game and potluck picnic, you will probably be asked to contribute a dish, like your famous macaroni salad. Contribute comes from a Latin word that means “to bring together, add, or unite.” When you contribute to a cause, you are adding to what other people have kicked in, which makes the effort complete. You can contribute your singing talent to a traveling a cappella group; you can contribute money or time to save rhinoceroses; you can contribute cupcakes to the gymnastics team bake sale; or you can even contribute ideas on healthcare reform to a Washington think tank.

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Vocabulary lists containing contribute

Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items

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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.

See Examples For:

contribute contributes contributed contributing

American Industrial Partners will own the remaining 40% interest in Silgan MCC and contribute about $1 billion to support the acquisition.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

American Industrial Partners will own the remaining 40% interest in Silgan MCC and contribute about $1 billion to support the acquisition, as well as the future growth of the business.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

Because microglia help maintain brain health and can contribute to harmful inflammation when their behavior changes, finding ways to preserve their normal function could have important implications for understanding age-related neurological disorders.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

Auckland said she wanted to "raise awareness of the breed and the role the ponies play in managing the common itself and what they can contribute to conservation projects around the country," she said.

From BBC ● Oct. 18, 2026

Did she really think Dimple had nothing valuable to contribute besides her looks?

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

While drought contributes to the fires, experts say deforestation and drying of peatlands has damaged previously fire-resistant landscapes.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

She also contributes to political and general news coverage for the Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

When the researchers interrupted these nerve pathways, the results suggested that communication through the vagus nerve also contributes to the body's response to nutrient order.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

The climate pattern also contributes to rising sea levels, since water expands as it heats up.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

But mostly it contributes to streams and so to rivers.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Times staff writer Nicole Nixon contributed to this report from Sacramento.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 19, 2026

The researchers suggest that people fleeing the most severely affected regions may have contributed to this unexpected population growth.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 18, 2026

Jefferies says this arrangement hasn’t contributed meaningfully yet.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

The sector contributed nearly £40bn to the Treasury last year, if income tax on employees is factored in.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

‘That is not wholly true. Mr. Singer contributed a check for twelve dollars to be used for coal. And I have invited him to be present today.’

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers

“It’s just not how the game works. So just every person just contributing to it and wanting it more than the other team.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

Vascular calcification occurs when calcium builds up in blood vessel walls, making them less flexible and contributing to cardiovascular disease.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

Also contributing is quarter-end and year-end tax-loss selling — unloading the worst-performing stocks to lower capital-gains burdens — from mutual funds and individual investors.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

Having also provided three assists as a sub, he ranks fifth for minutes-per-goal involvements, contributing to his side scoring once every 78 minutes on average when used off the bench.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

So working on Battle Cry was William Faulkner’s way of contributing to the war against the Nazis.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023