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

Belichick was the coach on this year’s ballot, while, coincidentally, Patriots owner Robert Kraft was the contributor nominee. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026

There’s an entire mindset switch, a complete flip between working as an individual contributor and becoming a leader or manager. —Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Belichick was one of five finalists among coaches, contributors and senior players who last appeared in a game in 2000 or earlier. —CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026

The scientists touted multiple factors as major contributors to the possible large-scale destruction. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 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