participate
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
Synonym Usage
See share 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of participate
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin participātus “shared,” past participle of participāre “to share,” equivalent to particip- (stem of particeps ) “taking part, partner” ( see participle) + -āre, verb suffix
Explanation
If you take part in an activity or organization, you participate in it. For example, you participate in a conversation by listening to and talking with others, or you participate in a sport by joining a team and taking part in practices and games. You can use the verb participate to mean "be involved in" or "share in." Sometimes it is easy to figure out who participates in something — the runners in a race, the people waiting their turn to audition for a part in a play. Sometimes it isn't so obvious. If two students cause trouble but the teacher punishes the whole class, it might be that in not stopping the troublemakers, she views everyone as having participated — just being there means they were involved.
Vocabulary lists containing participate
On Your Mark, Get Set, Commence Your Life!
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Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789)
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A Résumé of Active Words
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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.
Alphabet also might have wanted Berkshire’s involvement as an inducement for other investors to participate because of Berkshire’s outstanding reputation.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
The school urges students to use the time they would have spent on test prep to instead study for classes, participate in extracurricular activities and write great essays.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
All data collected by Roman will be publicly available, allowing researchers and citizen scientists alike to participate in the search for new worlds.
From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026
Instead, a trial of the facts is being held in which she will not participate.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
Unfortunately, the Olympic rules state that only the top two qualifiers from any country are permitted to participate.
From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles
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.
