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

All of those players Miami banished/traded away that 2019 Tanking for Tua season were proven NFL starters, players who had the ability to continue their careers as impactful contributors to the Dolphins. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 18 Mar. 2026

Ryder Atwood is a phenomenal defender who also is a big contributor in the attack with nine goals and four assists. —Colby Gordon, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026

The book includes provocative texts from Semiotext(e) contributors like Chris Kraus, Hedi El Kholti, Abdellah Taïa, Lauren Mackler and French novelist Constance Debré, among others. —Sammy Loren, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Yes, a quality contributor, good locker room guy and class all the way in the community. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 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