contribute

American

[kuhn-trib-yoot] / kənˈtrɪb yut /

verb (used with object)

contributed, contributing

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

Synonyms:

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

to contribute stories to a magazine.

verb (used without object)

contributed, contributing

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

He contributes to many charities.
to furnish written works, drawings, etc., for publication.

Our thanks to those who contributed to our alumni newsletter.
to be an important factor; help to cause something.

A sudden downpour contributed to the traffic jam.

contribute British

/ kənˈtrɪbjuːt /

verb

to give (support, money, etc) for a common purpose or fund
to supply (ideas, opinions, etc) as part of a debate or discussion
(intr) to be partly instrumental (in) or responsible (for)

drink contributed to the accident
to write (articles) for a publication

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

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.

The move doesn’t exactly contribute to the idea of parity.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The reason: Net imports of oil and liquefied natural gas consume 1% to 2% of European gross domestic product, whereas net exports contribute 0.2% to U.S. output.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

However, they are also known to contribute to inflammation in conditions such as COPD.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

Though the dwarf pansies are not yet available to purchase, Litchfield encouraged islanders to consider planting other native and naturalised species to contribute to their conservation.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

I’ve sufficiently convinced her that I have nothing more to contribute to this conversation.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023