participation
Americannoun
-
an act or instance of participating.
-
the fact of taking part, as in some action or attempt.
participation in a celebration.
-
a sharing, as in benefits or profits.
participation in a pension plan.
adjective
Other Word Forms
- preparticipation noun
- underparticipation noun
Etymology
Origin of participation
First recorded in 1325–75; from Late Latin participātiōn-, stem of participātiō; equivalent to participate + -ion; replacing Middle English participacioun, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin, as above
Explanation
Participation in extracurricular activities makes you a well-rounded person. Getting involved in different groups and pursuits is not only educational, but also an opportunity to make lifelong friends. Notice that the first syllable in this noun is part-, as in, “take part.” Participation is the act of participating, or being related to a larger whole. Another word for this is involvement. A person can enjoy participation in a club, a celebration, or even a conversation.
Vocabulary lists containing participation
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Sports and Hobbies
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 5)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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 pope also called on Algeria's leaders "not to fear" greater public participation in political life, calling for a "vibrant, dynamic and free civil society".
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
“I did that multiple times. I’ve never in my life denied participation of practice. Whoever came up with that is disrespectful toward what I’ve done for this team and the way I carry myself.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026
Participants were included only if their weight had been measured at least three times, such as during early pregnancy, military conscription, or participation in research studies.
From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026
But members’ continued participation shows the institution isn’t dead.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
She never reads what we write; there are no grades in homeroom, just attendance and participation points.
From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day
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.
