contribution

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Something you give or do, such as money, work or ideas, that helps a shared aim.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'to' or 'toward': a contribution to the project.

   Patterns

   • a contribution to something
   • a contribution toward something

   Her contribution to the project was vital.

   Every contribution, large or small, helps the charity.

   He made a valuable contribution to the discussion.

2. 2nounusually pluralfinance

   A regular payment into a pension, insurance or tax scheme.

   Grammar: Often plural: pension contributions.

   Patterns

   • pension contributions
   • make contributions

   Workers pay monthly contributions into their pension.

   The employer matches your contribution up to five percent.

   Your national insurance contributions are deducted from pay.

3. 3nouncountable

   A piece of writing or other work submitted for a publication.

   Grammar: Used for articles in magazines and books.

   Patterns

   • a contribution to something

   The editor welcomed her contribution to the magazine.

   The book includes contributions from ten scholars.

   His poem was an early contribution to the journal.

4. 4nouncountableformal

   The part that something plays in causing a result.

   Grammar: Often 'a contribution to' an outcome.

   Patterns

   • a contribution to something

   Carbon emissions make a major contribution to climate change.

   Poor sleep was a contribution to his illness.

   Diet makes a big contribution to health.

Word forms

Common combinations

make a contribution

She wanted to make a contribution to her community.

valuable contribution

His valuable contribution won praise.

charitable contribution

The couple made a charitable contribution.

financial contribution

Each member made a financial contribution.

contribution to

This is a major contribution to science.

pension contribution

The pension contribution comes out of her salary.

Synonyms and how they differ

donation

A donation is always given freely, usually to a charity, while contribution can also be work or ideas.

input

Input is informal and refers to ideas or advice in a process.

offering

Offering is something put forward, often religious or artistic.

payment

A payment is owed, whereas contribution is often voluntary.

Opposites

Word family

contribute verb

to give or help toward something

contributor noun

a person who gives or writes

contributory adjective

helping to cause something

noncontributory adjective

not requiring payment from employees

Commonly confused: contribution or distribution?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “contribution”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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