contributor

noun

con·​trib·​u·​tor kən-ˈtri-byə-tər 

-bə-, 

-ˌbyü-

: someone or something that contributes something or that contributes to something

charitable contributors

… have suggested that the fee would hurt the agriculture industry, a sector they claim is the largest contributor to the state economy.

—Wenonah Hauter

… was illustrated by Oliver Munday, a frequent contributor to the Book Review …

—John Williams

These particles, which are known as black carbon and are the major component of soot, are the second most important contributor to global warming, behind only carbon dioxide, wrote the 31 authors of the study …

—Elisabeth Rosenthal

Examples of contributor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The support included major funding commitments totaling billions of dollars for 2026 and 2027, and official acknowledgment of Ukraine’s transition from aid beneficiary to transatlantic security contributor. — Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

In addition to the rising costs of food, energy and housing, healthcare is a major contributor to the rapidly climbing cost of living in this country. — Eric Khant, Sun Sentinel, 19 July 2026

The program now has 30 contributors who present wares in about 350 shopping segments each year. — Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

The New York Yankees have celebrated countless stars from their latest championship era, but some of the most important contributors never appeared in a box score. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contributour "person who pays a tax or assessment," borrowed from Anglo-French, "one who pays a share of a tax or fine," from Latin contribūt-, past participle stem of Latin contribuere "to give as a portion or share" + -our -or entry 1 — more at contribute

First Known Use

circa 1531, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for contributor

• distributor