crowdfunding
noun
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Crowdsourcing and crowdfunding are two words that have recently found their way into the crowded pool of English. Crowdsourcing, which typically refers to the practice of soliciting services, ideas, or content from a large group of people online, was coined by Jeff Howe in a 2006 article in Wired, and crowdfunding was created by entrepreneur Michael Sullivan in that same year. Both words conceptualize "the crowd" as a vast online community from which something needed may be obtained. In crowdsourcing, the crowd is called upon for needed assistance or information. A well-known use of crowdsourcing is Wikipedia, whose content is the result of various contributors. Crowdfunding, on the other hand, involves a more specific request: the crowd is solicited for financial contributions to a particular venture or cause, such as a film project or cancer research.
Examples of crowdfunding in a Sentence
Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
State of beer: In a tough market, Colorado breweries are increasingly turning loyal fans into part owners through crowdfunding campaigns that raise millions in capital.
—John Frank, Axios, 16 Apr. 2025
The company’s initial crowdfunding campaign closed in February 2019 without reaching its goal.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025
It should also be noted that all crowdfunding campaigns always carry an element of risk, but should all the dominoes fall in the right order, Kosmos reckons that shipping could start as early as July.
—New Atlas, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crowdfunding
Cite this Entry
“Crowdfunding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crowdfunding. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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