contribute

[ kuhn-trib-yoot ]

verb (used with object)

, con·trib·ut·ed, con·trib·ut·ing.

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.

verb (used without object)

, con·trib·ut·ed, con·trib·ut·ing.

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• conˈtributable, adjective
• conˈtributiveness, noun
• conˈtributive, adjective
• conˈtributively, adverb

Other Words From

• con·trib·ut·a·ble adjective
• con·trib·u·tive adjective
• con·trib·u·tive·ly adverb
• con·trib·u·tive·ness noun
• non·con·trib·ut·a·ble adjective
• non·con·trib·ut·ing adjective
• non·con·trib·u·tive adjective
• non·con·trib·u·tive·ness noun
• o·ver·con·trib·ute verb overcontributed overcontributing
• pre·con·trib·ute verb (used with object) precontributed precontributing
• un·con·trib·ut·ed adjective
• un·con·trib·ut·ing adjective
• un·con·trib·u·tive adjective
• un·con·trib·u·tive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contribute¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of contribute¹

C16: from Latin contribuere to collect, from tribuere to grant, bestow

Example Sentences

“My goal was to be able to pitch and contribute offensively and the fact that I knew I wasn’t going to be able to pitch this season made me focus more on my offensive game,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Plastics also contribute to exacerbation of climate change and biodiversity loss through various mechanisms.

From Science Daily

Instead of being caused by a single genetic spelling mistake, in some patients the condition is more like common diseases such as coronary artery disease, where many genetic differences collectively contribute to risk.

From Science Daily

This research sets the stage for future studies to explore how our diverse cell types work together within the brain's networks and to test other potential models of how cells contribute to brain function.

From Science Daily

Their findings suggest that elevated maternal prenatal immune activity may contribute to the development of heightened immune and stress sensitivity in the offspring, which, the researchers hypothesized, may predispose them to memory disorders, like AD, later in life, in sex-dependent ways.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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