collaborate

verb

col·​lab·​o·​rate kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt 

collaborated; collaborating

intransitive verb

1

: to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor

An international team of scientists collaborated on the study.

2

: to cooperate with or willingly assist an enemy of one's country and especially an occupying force

suspected of collaborating with the enemy

3

: to cooperate with an agency or instrumentality with which one is not immediately connected

The two schools collaborate on library services.

collaboration

kə-ˌla-bə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

collaborative

kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrā-tiv

-b(ə-)rə- 

adjective or noun

collaboratively

kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrā-tiv-lē 

-b(ə-)rə-

adverb

Did you know?

The Latin prefix com-, meaning "with, together, or jointly," is a bit of a chameleon—it has a tricky habit of changing its appearance depending on what it's next to. If the word it precedes begins with l, com- becomes col- (as in colleague, collect, and collide). In the case of collaborate, com- teamed up with laborare ("to labor") to form Late Latin collaborare ("to labor together").

Synonyms

• band (together)
• concert
• concur
• conjoin
• conspire
• cooperate
• join
• league
• team (up)
• unite

Examples of collaborate in a Sentence

The two companies agreed to collaborate.

He was suspected of collaborating with the occupying army.

Recent Examples on the Web

The confident Sun also collaborates with dreamy Neptune, elevating our intuition and creativity, right before fiery Mars and transformative Pluto team up to put motivation behind this inspiration. —Tarot.com, Orlando Sentinel, 21 July 2024

Last year, Ally collaborated with ESPN on a groundbreaking sponsorship package, allocating over 90% of the investment to women’s sports. —Asli Pelit, Sportico.com, 19 July 2024

Plans are in the works for Tulloch to teach a workshop at Fab Lab Miami, an after school program for students in Liberty City, and collaborate with the students on an art exhibition at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 19 July 2024

By collaborating with leading experts in health technology and leveraging the latest advancements in data analytics and artificial intelligence, Oxiline continuously seeks ways to improve its monitoring devices. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 18 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin collaboratus, past participle of collaborare to labor together, from Latin com- + laborare to labor — more at labor

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

collaborate

verb

col·​lab·​o·​rate kə-ˈlab-ə-ˌrāt 

collaborated; collaborating

1

: to work with others (as in writing a book)

2

: to cooperate with an enemy force that has taken over one's country

collaboration

kə-ˌlab-ə-ˈrā-shən 

noun

collaborationist

-sh(ə-)nəst

noun

collaborator

kə-ˈlab-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

collaborate

intransitive verb

col·​lab·​o·​rate kə-ˈla-bə-ˌrāt 

collaborated; collaborating

: to work jointly with others in some endeavor