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

“I did not contribute to him, he did not contribute to me,” Duke said.

From The Daily Beast

That means that fewer and fewer everyday Americans are choosing to contribute to campaigns.

From The Daily Beast

Nor do these studies address the structural and systematic issues that contribute to obesity, such as poverty and stress.

From The Daily Beast

But as a lawyer, she uses law to contribute to their protection.

From The Daily Beast

It was the fundraiser to end all fundraisers, and no one was even asked to do anything so vulgar as to contribute any cash.

From The Daily Beast

This genius to superintend and be the head, while others contribute the hands, is not the most common of human endowments.

From Project Gutenberg

To this evil the darkness and steepness of the streets mainly contribute, by furnishing almost a certainty of escape.

From Project Gutenberg

Visitors to the church are given an opportunity to contribute to the fund—a common thing in such cases.

From Project Gutenberg

That we are consumers and non-producers—that we contribute nothing to the general progress of man.

From Project Gutenberg

Every woman seemed to have been fired with the ambition to contribute her own part to the brilliancy of the night.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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