crowdfunding

noun

crowd·​fund·​ing ˈkrau̇d-ˌfən-diŋ How to pronounce crowdfunding (audio)
: the practice of obtaining needed funding (as for a new business) by soliciting contributions from a large number of people especially from the online community

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The short marks a step toward dramatic filmmaking for the writer-director and was funded via a crowdfunding campaign with over 500 contributors. Ellise Shafer, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025 The current crowdfunding program reached its goal in less than 40 minutes. Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 The Horror Section is a crowdfunding investment which raised about $2 million, or half of its $5 million target. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 14 Apr. 2025 Should the $4 million prove insufficient, the bill would also allow Polis’ office to accept gifts, grants and donations to add to the fund — meaning that the state could essentially use crowdfunding to defend itself and its funding streams from the Trump administration. The Denver Post, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crowdfunding

Word History

Etymology

from gerund of crowdfund

First Known Use

2007, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crowdfunding was in 2007

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Crowdfunding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crowdfunding. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

crowdfunding

noun
crowd·​fund·​ing
ˈkrau̇d-ˌfən-diŋ
: the practice of obtaining funding (as for a new business) by seeking contributions from a large group of people and especially from the online community
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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