contribute
verb (used with object)
to give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes.
were 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.
Would you come into the office more regularly if you didn’t feel like you were contributing to a product that might cause harm?
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 7, 2026
A jury inquest found her "treatment and trauma" throughout her dealings with mental health services, which included a stay at "chaotic and unsafe" West Lane Hopsital in Middlesbrough, were "contributing factors to her death".
From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2026
In the report, half of the L.A. hotel respondents said they assumed that visa barriers and distance from venues were contributing to the low early bookings.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
In 2010, Congress passed the Hunger-Free Kids Act, which prohibited whole milk in school lunches due to concerns that saturated fat and high calories were contributing to a slew of health problems in children.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2025
They felt good then, for they knew they were contributing.
From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck
