contributing factor
noun
: something that helps cause a result
According to the police report of the accident, excessive speed was a contributing factor.
—often + to/inThe coach's positive attitude was a contributing factor to/in the team's success.
Examples of contributing factor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The number of votes a beach receives is a contributing factor to its appearance on our list as well as its ranking.
—
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2024
The statement said that the initial investigation indicates impairment was not a contributing factor in the collision but that charges were possible after the investigation is complete.
Catawba County is about an hour northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina.
—NBC News, 28 Sep. 2024
Apache Junction police identified the driver as 73-year-old Thomas Edward Kain and said alcohol was a contributing factor.
—Kerria Weaver, The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2024
Brooks said that social media is a contributing factor to the decline of interpersonal skills for the younger generations.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contributing factor 
Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2024
The statement said that the initial investigation indicates impairment was not a contributing factor in the collision but that charges were possible after the investigation is complete.
Catawba County is about an hour northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina.
—NBC News, 28 Sep. 2024
Apache Junction police identified the driver as 73-year-old Thomas Edward Kain and said alcohol was a contributing factor.
—Kerria Weaver, The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2024
Brooks said that social media is a contributing factor to the decline of interpersonal skills for the younger generations.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contributing factor
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contributing factor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near contributing factor
Cite this Entry
“Contributing factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contributing%20factor. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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