participate

American  

[pahr-tis-uh-peyt] / pɑrˈtɪs əˌpeɪt /

verb (used without object)

participated, participating

1. to take or have a part or share, as with others; partake; share (usually followed byin ).

   to participate in profits;

   to participate in a play.

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verb (used with object)

participated, participating

1. Archaic. to take or have a part or share in; partake in; share.

participate British  

/ pɑːˈtɪsɪˌpeɪt /

verb

1. to take part, be or become actively involved, or share (in)

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Related Words

See share ¹.

Other Word Forms

• participant adjective
• participatingly adverb
• participation noun
• participative adjective
• participatively adverb
• participator noun
• participatory adjective
• unparticipated adjective
• unparticipating adjective
• unparticipative adjective

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.

Example Sentences

My article went viral and Havens was flooded with requests to participate in interviews, books, documentaries, and movies.

From Slate • May 2, 2026

In 1983, lawmakers raised payroll taxes, accelerated scheduled tax increases, began to gradually increase the full retirement age to 67, taxed benefits for higher‑income workers and required new federal employees to participate in the system.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

"We wanted it to be commercial and accessible — so that everybody could participate."

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Barrera: “The practical work is implementation: Districts need clear guidance on their obligations, consistent coordination with the relevant athletic governance bodies, and a school climate where students can participate without being targeted.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

While at Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre, she heard a speech by Christabel Pankhurst, the British suffragette, and she was invited to participate in suffrage protests, but she didn’t jump into radical politics easily.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Related Words

• aid
• compete
• cooperate
• engage
• engage in
• perform
• play
• share