contribute
verb (used with object)
to give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes.
was contributing
-
past progressiveof contribute.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Fed policymakers agreed at the meeting that the situation in the Middle East was "contributing to a high level of uncertainty about the economic outlook."
From Barron's ● May 20, 2026
Although his claim to fame was contributing to numerous comedy projects across decades, it was the 1999 documentary “Beyond the Mat,” a behind-the-scenes chronicle of three famous pro wrestlers, that was Blaustein’s darling.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
Elon Musk is suing OpenAI in federal court, alleging that the AI giant manipulated him into thinking he was contributing tens of millions of dollars to help launch a nonprofit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 28, 2026
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky warned the UN last month that AI was contributing to "the most destructive arms race in human history".
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2025
I was contributing almost as much as I had during the previous summer, but I wasn’t taking the money proudly to Momma for her to count out and put into the crock.
From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson
