contribute

American  

[kuhn-trib-yoot] / kənˈtrɪb yut /

verb (used with object)

contributed, contributing

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.

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verb (used without object)

contributed, contributing

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 British  

/ 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

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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

Explanation

To contribute something is to provide a part of the whole. When your company has their annual softball game and potluck picnic, you will probably be asked to contribute a dish, like your famous macaroni salad. Contribute comes from a Latin word that means “to bring together, add, or unite.” When you contribute to a cause, you are adding to what other people have kicked in, which makes the effort complete. You can contribute your singing talent to a traveling a cappella group; you can contribute money or time to save rhinoceroses; you can contribute cupcakes to the gymnastics team bake sale; or you can even contribute ideas on healthcare reform to a Washington think tank.

Example Sentences

France said it would co-host a video conference with Britain on Friday of countries ready to contribute to a "purely defensive mission" to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Still, games pipeline for 2026 remains promising, with new titles expected to contribute from 2Q, including “Roco Kingdom. “Daiwa lowers its estimate for Tencent’s game revenue growth in 2026 to 15% from 16%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Hand dryers can also contribute to the spread of germs.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

"The most false part of it all is the claim that there are glaciers that do not contribute to rivers. If it's a glacier, it has ice and contributes water. It's very basic," he says.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

I promised to spend some birthday money on them and to contribute to our Jackson Five concert savings.

From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia

Related Words

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