Contribution

/ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃən/

nounIntermediate🔥Very CommonGiving
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

An act of giving or providing something, especially money, to help achieve or provide something.

/ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃən/

nounneutralIntermediate
Giving

Something given to a larger group or fund

Her contribution to the project was invaluable.

💡 Simply: It's like helping out! Imagine your class is collecting money for a new playground. Your contribution is the money you give to make it happen.

👶 For kids: When you give something to help someone or something.

More Examples

2

We made a small contribution to the local food bank.

3

The company's contribution to the community was widely recognized.

How It's Used

Finance

"The company made a generous contribution to the charity."

Politics

"Campaign contributions are essential for political campaigns."

Science

"Einstein's contribution to the field of physics was revolutionary."

2

A piece of writing or a statement that is offered for publication or presentation.

/ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃən/

nounneutralIntermediate
Communication

A writing or statement offered for publication.

The magazine editor was very pleased with his contribution.

💡 Simply: Think of writing an essay or a short story. If you submit it to a magazine or website, that's your contribution—you're adding your work to theirs.

👶 For kids: Something you write or say to share with others.

More Examples

2

The scientist's contribution to the conference was highly anticipated.

3

The book includes many contributions from different authors.

How It's Used

Journalism

"He wrote a contribution to the newspaper on environmental policy."

Literature

"The anthology includes several contributions from emerging writers."

Tip:Like contributing your words to a larger collection or discussion.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Idioms & expressions

make a contribution

To give something, usually money or effort, to a cause or project.

"She made a significant contribution to the success of the project."

From Latin contributio, meaning "a bringing together, a sharing." It evolved from the verb contribuere, "to bring together, add," from con- (together) + tribuere (to assign, allot).

In older texts, "contribution" was often used in the context of taxation and payments of tribute.

Memory tip

Think of a 'tribute' – a contribution is a form of giving, helping to build something larger.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to assign, allot"

make a contributionsignificant contributionfinancial contributionvaluable contributioncontribute to

Common misspellings

contibutioncontributtion

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written