CONTRIBUTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does contribution mean? 

• CONTRIBUTION (noun)
  The noun CONTRIBUTION has 5 senses:

1. the effort contributed by a person in bringing about a result

2. a voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause

3. act of giving in common with others for a common purpose especially to a charity

4. an amount of money contributed

5. a writing for publication especially one of a collection of writings as an article or story

  Familiarity information: CONTRIBUTION used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONTRIBUTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The effort contributed by a person in bringing about a result

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

contribution; part; share

Context example:

they all did their share of the work

Hypernyms ("contribution" is a kind of...):

attempt; effort; endeavor; endeavour; try (earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "contribution"):

end (the part you are expected to play)

Derivation:

contribute (contribute to some cause)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Synonyms:

contribution; donation

Hypernyms ("contribution" is a kind of...):

gift (something acquired without compensation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "contribution"):

benefaction (a contribution of money or assistance)

offering (money contributed to a religious organization)

political contribution; political donation (a contribution made to a politician or a political campaign or a political party)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Act of giving in common with others for a common purpose especially to a charity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

contribution; donation

Hypernyms ("contribution" is a kind of...):

gift; giving (the act of giving)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "contribution"):

subscription (a pledged contribution)

alms (money or goods contributed to the poor)

Derivation:

contribute (provide)

contribute (contribute to some cause)

Sense 4

Meaning:

An amount of money contributed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Context example:

he expected his contribution to be repaid with interest

Hypernyms ("contribution" is a kind of...):

amount; amount of money; sum; sum of money (a quantity of money)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A writing for publication especially one of a collection of writings as an article or story

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("contribution" is a kind of...):

publication; publishing (the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution)

 Context examples 

"And it was a favor to me—think of that!" was Martin's contribution.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The models therefore projected Greenland's contribution to global sea level rise would be limited.

(Hidden Greenland canyons mean more sea level rise, NASA)

These studies combined suggest a viral contribution but have not explained how the connection works.

(Viruses may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, National Institutes of Health)

The new report describes three separate studies, conducted with non-human primates, rats, and humans, that investigated the potential contribution of the aldosterone/MR pathway to AUD.

(NIH findings link aldosterone with alcohol use disorder, National Institutes of Health)

The ancient astrologers used to call the tenth house the house of dignity and pointed to this house as reflective of the contribution you would ultimately leave as your legacy.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

The results show that gravestones are great places for understanding microbes' survival on rock surfaces and their contributions to rock weathering, the scientists say.

(Tales from the crypt: Life after death in a graveyard, National Science Foundation)

It depends on genetic contributions to cognitive ability and other characteristics that motivate individuals to continue education, as well as substantial environmental contributions to educational success.

(Researchers identify genetic links to educational attainment, NIH)

The main contributions of the design produced by the UGR include its compact size and the programming of an Android app that enables it to be used by non-specialists via an intuitive menu.

(Scientists design platform to conduct chemical analysis using a smartphone, University of Granada)

Next, the researchers calculated a genetic risk score for coronary heart disease – a measure of the contribution made by the various genes known to increase the risk of heart disease.

(Inflammation links heart disease and depression, University of Cambridge)

Planck is a European Space Agency mission with significant NASA contributions.

(Planck Takes Magnetic Fingerprint of Our Galaxy, JPL/NASA)