- 1[transitive, intransitive] to give something, especially money or goods, to help someone or something contribute something (to/toward something) We contributed $5,000 to the earthquake fund. contribute (to/toward something) Would you like to contribute to our cause? Do you want to contribute?
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- 2[intransitive] contribute (to something) to be one of the causes of something Medical negligence could have contributed to her death. Language BankcauseX causes Y
- Childhood obesity can cause/lead to long-term health problems.
- Changes in lifestyle and diet over the last twenty years have caused/led to/resulted in a sharp increase in childhood obesity.
- Several factors, including changes in diet and lifestyle, have contributed to the increase in childhood obesity.
- Research suggests that fast food and soft drinks directly contribute to childhood obesity.
- Genetics, lifestyle, and diet are all important factors in cases of childhood obesity.
- Even small changes in lifestyle and diet can bring about significant weight loss.
- 3[intransitive, transitive] to increase, improve, or add to something contribute to something Immigrants have contributed to American culture in many ways. contribute something to something This book does not contribute much to our understanding of the subject.
- 4[transitive, intransitive] to write things for a newspaper, magazine, or a radio or television program; to speak during a meeting or conversation, especially to give your opinion contribute something (to something) She contributed a number of articles to the magazine. contribute (to something) He contributes regularly to the magazine “New Scientist.” We hope everyone will contribute to the discussion.
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NAmE//kənˈtrɪbyut//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they contribute he / she / it contributes
past simple contributed
-ing form contributing
Human error may have been a contributing factor AWL Collocationscontributecontribute verbto give a part of the total, together with others
- financially
- greatly, significantly, substantially
- positively
- equally
- greatly, significantly, substantially
- importantly
- positively
- disproportionately
- directly, indirectly
- (most) likely, undoubtedly
- significantly
- factor
- important, significant
- major, substantial
- valuable
- outstanding, seminal, unique
- relative
Check pronunciation: contribute