1 contribute | Definition of contribute

contribute

verb
con·​trib·​ute | \ kən-ˈtri-byət How to pronounce contribute (audio) , -(ˌ)byüt also and especially before -​ed or -​ing -ˈtri-bət; chiefly British also ˈkän-trə-ˌbyüt\
contributed; contributing

Definition of contribute

transitive verb

1 : to give or supply in common with others contribute money to a cause
2 : to supply (something, such as an article) for a publication He contributed several poems to the magazine.

intransitive verb

1a : to give a part to a common fund or store contribute to a fund-raising campaign
b : to play a significant part in bringing about an end or result Many players have contributed to the team's success.
2 : to submit articles to a publication

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Synonyms for contribute

Synonyms

chip in, kick in, pitch in

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Examples of contribute in a Sentence

The volunteers contributed their time towards cleaning up the city. We're trying to raise money for a new school, and we're hoping that everyone will contribute. He did not contribute to the project. In order for the team to win, everyone has to contribute. He contributed many poems to the magazine. Ten scientists contributed to the special edition of the journal.
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Recent Examples on the Web

The 76-year-old woman had various health issues such as diabetes, hypertension and varicose veins before the rooster attack, contributing to her death. David K. Li, NBC News, "Rooster pecked Australian woman to death, medical journal reports," 4 Sep. 2019 The two closures are part of an alarming trend that’s contributing to the city’s homeless and mental health crisis — the rapid disappearance of residential care beds for the elderly, mentally ill and those with substance abuse problems. Trisha Thadani, SFChronicle.com, "Two SF homes for elderly and formerly homeless plan to close amid rising costs," 3 Sep. 2019 The biggest factor contributing to rising inflation in the county has been increased housing costs — for both renters and owners. Brittany Meiling, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Is your paycheck keeping up with San Diego’s inflation?," 2 Sep. 2019 This is evidenced by America’s job losses and higher consumer costs from Trump’s various trade wars, contributing to a slowing economy. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, "What Was Free about Our Trade Relationship with China before Trump?," 30 Aug. 2019 Jones led the team with 20 points with Jenkins contributing 14 points. Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, "Da Squad rolls to victory over Team Redemption in 30 & Up Hoops action," 29 Aug. 2019 And despite the fact that flu has contributed to the deaths of at least three children in U.S. custody since December. Leonard Pitts Jr - Miami Herald, The Mercury News, "Pitts: Does withholding flu shots to detained migrant families constitute evil?," 28 Aug. 2019 Lacrosse, 99,750 Cole McNanna of the Sealy (Texas) News contributed to this report; Dan Shulman can be reached at [email protected]. Dan Shulman, BostonGlobe.com, "Participation in school sports is down for first time in 30 years," 26 Aug. 2019 But both the recent minutes and the speech today devoted more words to the possibility that low rates might contribute to financial instability than has recently been the norm in the Fed’s discussions. The Economist, "Now Donald Trump calls the Fed’s chairman an “enemy”," 23 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contribute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of contribute

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for contribute

Latin contributus, past participle of contribuere, from com- + tribuere to grant — more at tribute

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More Definitions for contribute

contribute

verb

English Language Learners Definition of contribute

: to give (something, such as money, goods, or time) to help a person, group, cause, or organization
: to help to cause something to happen
: to write (something, such as a story, poem, or essay) for a magazine

contribute

verb
con·​trib·​ute | \ kən-ˈtri-byət How to pronounce contribute (audio) , -byüt\
contributed; contributing

Kids Definition of contribute

1 : to give along with others
2 : to have a share in something You all contributed to the success of the project.
3 : to supply (as an article) for publication especially in a magazine

Other Words from contribute

contributor \ kən-​ˈtri-​byə-​tər \ noun

contribute

verb
con·​trib·​ute
contributed; contributing

Legal Definition of contribute

transitive verb

: to make a contribution of

intransitive verb

: to make a contribution

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