participation
Americannoun
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an act or instance of participating.
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the fact of taking part, as in some action or attempt.
participation in a celebration.
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a sharing, as in benefits or profits.
participation in a pension plan.
adjective
Other Word Forms
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
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Sports and Hobbies
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Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 5)
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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.
Transportation systems, workplaces, familial and social relationships, and government services increasingly assume continuous digital participation.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
While older generations may not always understand activism expressed through hashtags, online campaigns and viral trends, these are modern forms of political participation.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
But many believe broad participation would still be a healthy sign for the S&P 500.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
To quote the House of Commons Library, "overall participation in higher education increased from 3.4% in 1950, to 8.4% in 1970, 19.3% in 1990 and 33% in 2000".
From BBC • May 17, 2026
Should he receive a zero for class participation that day?
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
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.
