contribute

[ kuhn-trib-yoot ]
/ kənˈtrɪb yut /

verb (used with object), con·trib·ut·ed, con·trib·ut·ing.

to give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes.
to furnish (an original written work, drawing, etc.) for publication: to contribute stories to a magazine.

verb (used without object), con·trib·ut·ed, con·trib·ut·ing.

to give (money, food, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc.: He contributes to many charities.
to furnish works for publication: He contributed to many magazines.

Idioms for contribute

    contribute to, to be an important factor in; help to cause: A sudden downpour contributed to the traffic jam.

Origin of contribute

1520–30; < Latin contribūtus past participle of contribuēre to bring together. See con-, tribute

OTHER WORDS FROM contribute

Example sentences from the Web for contributing

British Dictionary definitions for contributing

contribute
/ (kənˈtrɪbjuːt) /

verb (often foll by to)

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

Derived forms of contribute

contributable, adjective contributive, adjective contributively, adverb contributiveness, noun

Word Origin for contribute

C16: from Latin contribuere to collect, from tribuere to grant, bestow