contribute

American  

[kuhn-trib-yoot] / kənˈtrɪb yut /

verb (used with object)

contributed, contributing

1. to give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes.

   Synonyms:

   donate, furnish, provide

2. to furnish (an original written work, drawing, etc.) for publication.

   to contribute stories to a magazine.

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verb (used without object)

contributed, contributing

1. to give to a common supply, fund, etc..

   He contributes to many charities.

2. to furnish written works, drawings, etc., for publication.

   Our thanks to those who contributed to our alumni newsletter.

3. to be an important factor; help to cause something.

   A sudden downpour contributed to the traffic jam.

contribute British  

/ kənˈtrɪbjuːt /

verb

1. to give (support, money, etc) for a common purpose or fund

2. to supply (ideas, opinions, etc) as part of a debate or discussion

3. (intr) to be partly instrumental (in) or responsible (for)

   drink contributed to the accident

4. to write (articles) for a publication

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Other Word Forms

• contributable adjective
• contributive adjective
• contributively adverb
• contributiveness noun
• noncontributable adjective
• noncontributing adjective
• noncontributive adjective
• noncontributiveness noun
• overcontribute verb
• precontribute verb (used with object)
• uncontributed adjective
• uncontributing adjective
• uncontributive adjective
• uncontributiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of contribute

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin contribūtus, past participle of contribuēre “to bring together”; 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.

Example Sentences

But many in the market also believe that Netflix’s recent price increase, plus its growing advertising business, should contribute strongly to profitability this year, if not exactly in the first quarter.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

France and Britain will co-host a video conference Friday of more than 40 countries ready to contribute to a "purely defensive mission" to secure the Strait of Hormuz, officials said.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Google also said its engineers are continuing to train Gemini to recognize conversations that signal a user in distress and that it would contribute $30 million to global crisis-support hotlines.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

"By finding new biomarkers, we hope to contribute to more precise therapies," Catarina concludes.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

“In return, however, I will ask you to contribute to our little effort,” Charity says.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• add
• commit
• devote
• give
• grant
• pony up
• share
• subsidize
• supply