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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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

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

The new fund has also been designed to contribute to nature recovery across the county, while addressing unequal access to nature.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

Department of Agriculture to contribute to this effort.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026

“And then we’re painted as these puppies that just keep getting beat up. I didn’t want to contribute to that.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

“Unlike lifesaving, and mandated, technologies like air bags, seat belts, electronic stability control and headlights, analog AM radio does not contribute to motor vehicle safety,” Bozzella said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

I needed to contribute to my family's survival any way I could.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

Perhaps their focus on health contributes to the generation being less inclined to suffer through such extreme conditions.

From Salon ● Sep. 11, 2026

Nepal, a largely rural nation of 30 million people, contributes a fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions compared to industrialised nations.

From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026

The couple, who each earn around £60,000, have their own bank accounts alongside a joint account for bills, but are flexible with the amount each contributes when their circumstances change.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

"What we found is a plausible mechanism by which hyperglycemia directly contributes to immune evasion," said Tharp.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 1, 2026

In addition, food production contributes in at least three ways to specific features of complex societies.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

An inquest ruled that an Ofsted inspection had contributed to her death in January 2023.

From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026

While there are a variety of causes for the condition, the trailer does not reveal which has contributed to Kim’s case.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

The eruption disrupted air travel and contributed to poor air quality in several areas, including Jakarta.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026

Jolin said she and her husband have contributed about $10 million, a previously unreported figure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

When she could, Cora contributed turnips or greens to the birthday feasts, but nothing was coming in today.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

“I was contributing to Michigan athletics at the time and continued afterward, regardless of the change in head coach,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

By making intentional decisions aligned with your goals and values, leading an active social life and contributing to a cause that elevates your spirit, you’re bound to feel more happy and fulfilled.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

In people with IBD, this protective barrier can break down, contributing to inflammation, pain, and long-term complications.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 17, 2026

Jacobs and Silva jointly established the Lufodo Group and Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, contributing not only to film and television but also to developing and training performing artists in Nigeria.

From BBC ● Sep. 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

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