To give or grant i common with others; to give to a common stock or for a common purpose; to furnish or suply in part; to give (money or other aid) for a specified object; as, to contribute food or fuel for the poor
If something contributes to an event or situation, it is one of the causes of it. The report says design faults in both the vessels contributed to the tragedy Stress, both human and mechanical, may also be a contributing factor
To contribute money or resources to something means to give money or resources to help pay for something or to help achieve a particular purpose. The US is contributing $4 billion in loans, credits and grants NATO officials agreed to contribute troops and equipment to such an operation if the UN Security Council asked for it. = donate + contributor contributors con·tribu·tor the largest net contributors to EU funds
If you contribute to something, you say or do things to help to make it successful. The three sons also contribute to the family business He believes he has something to contribute to a discussion concerning the uprising
bestow a quality on; "Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company"; "The music added a lot to the play"; "She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings"; "This adds a light note to the program"