contribute

verb

con·​trib·​ute kən-ˈtri-(ˌ)byüt How to pronounce contribute (audio)
-byət,
 also and especially before -​ed or -​ing  -ˈtri-bət;
 chiefly British also  ˈkän-trə-ˌbyüt
contributed; contributing; contributes
1
transitive + intransitive : to give or supply (something, such as money or time) as a part or share
contribute money to a cause
contributed canned goods to the food drive
What percentage of your pay should you contribute to your 401(k)?
We'd like to thank all who contributed their time and effort.
I'm happy to attend, but I don't have much to contribute to the discussion.
Many people contributed to the fund-raising campaign.
If you are a parent, success is probably defined by how well your children turned out. Are they happy, successful adults? Do they contribute to society in a positive way?Bill Nordbrock
2
transitive + intransitive : to supply (something, such as an article) for a publication
He contributed several poems to the magazine.
The following authors contributed to this issue: …
3
intransitive : to play a significant part in making something happen
Many players have contributed to the team's success.
"We cannot address climate change without looking at all the components that are contributing to the problem of emissions."Tony de Brum

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.
Recent Examples on the Web South Korea’s topography means that livestock is often raised in crowded factory farms, which contributes to air and water pollution, said Park Jong-moo, a bioethics expert and veterinarian. Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024 The study also takes into account six key variables which contribute to explaining life evaluations, including GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and corruption. Jon Haworth, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 That contributed to net immigration of 3.3 million people into the US in 2023, well above the 900,000 annual average from 2010 to 2019, according to the CBO. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 The justices have restricted the EPA’s authority to fight air and water pollution — including a landmark 2022 ruling that limited the EPA’s authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants that contribute to global warming. Tom Krisher, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 Specifically, anti-dandruff shampoos with ketoconazole may be able to lower hormone levels that contribute to male pattern baldness and female pattern hair loss. Korin Miller, Health, 20 Mar. 2024 Times special correspondent Cecilia Sánchez Vidal contributed to this report. Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Programs such as the Black Ambition Prize, Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator, and SheaMoisture Grant Programs contribute to a more equitable entrepreneurial environment, making success more accessible to all. Ebony Flake, Essence, 20 Mar. 2024 Garcia said office would continue to work with the Secretary of State. Eleanor Dearman contributed to this report. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contribute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin contribūtus, past participle of contribuere "to join into one unit, unite, attach (to a polity or ruler for political or administrative purposes), give as a portion or share," from con- con- + tribuere "to share, apportion, grant, bestow" — more at tribute

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of contribute was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near contribute

Cite this Entry

“Contribute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contribute. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

contribute

verb
con·​trib·​ute kən-ˈtrib-yət How to pronounce contribute (audio)
-(ˌ)yüt
contributed; contributing
1
: to give along with others
contribute money to a cause
2
: to have a part in bringing about something
everybody contributed to the success of the show
3
: to submit articles to a publication
contributor noun

Legal Definition

contribute

verb
con·​trib·​ute
contributed; contributing

transitive verb

: to make a contribution of

intransitive verb

: to make a contribution

More from Merriam-Webster on contribute

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