contributory

American  

[kuhn-trib-yuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / kənˈtrɪb yəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. pertaining to or of the nature of contribution; contributing.

2. furnishing something toward a result.

   a contributory factor.

   Synonyms:

   ancillary, accessory

3. of, relating to, or constituting an insurance or pension plan the premiums of which are paid partly by an employer and partly by employees.

4. subject to contribution or levy.

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noun

plural

contributories

1. a person or thing that contributes.

contributory British  

/ kənˈtrɪbjʊtərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. (often foll by to) sharing in or being partly responsible (for the cause of something)

   a contributory factor

2. giving or donating to a common purpose or fund

3. of, relating to, or designating an insurance or pension scheme in which the premiums are paid partly by the employer and partly by the employees who benefit from it

4. liable or subject to a tax or levy

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noun

1. a person or thing that contributes

2. company law a member or former member of a company liable to contribute to the assets on the winding-up of the company

Other Word Forms

• noncontributory adjective
• uncontributory adjective

Etymology

Origin of contributory

1375–1425; late Middle English contributorie < Medieval Latin contribūtōrius. See contribute, -tory ¹

Example Sentences

January saw another steep increase in overall input costs for service providers, and S&P Global said suppliers were reported to be raising prices, with tariffs again mentioned as a contributory factor.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

Jim Williams shared that Adam Williams’ official cause of death was atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with obesity as a contributory factor.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

Against the backdrop of recent kidnappings, governors and traditional chiefs from 19 northern states recently dubbed illegal mining a "major contributory factor to the security crises".

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

Intent has been the polestar for the evolution of secondary liability—and especially the contributory liability theory—in copyright law.

From Slate • Nov. 28, 2025

It made me uneasy, as though the whole evening had been a trick of some sort to exact a contributory emotion from me.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald