participate

verb par·tic·i·pate \ pär-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt , pər- \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: participate in a Sentence

Definition of participate

participated; participating

transitive verb

archaic : partake

intransitive verb

1 : to possess some of the attributes of a person, thing, or quality

the individual man participates in the ideal man
—Frank Thilly

2 a : to take part

always participates in class discussions

b : to have a part or share in something

Your mother participates in this ambition …
—Edith Wharton

—

participator

play \pär-ˈti-sə-ˌpā-tər, pər-\ noun

See participate defined for English-language learners

See participate defined for kids

Examples of participate in a Sentence

Most people joined the game, but a few chose not to participate.
eager to participate in the city's cultural life

Recent Examples of participate from the Web

Dekel Keinan, who was substituted during the first half of Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Bethlehem Steel FC, participated Friday in al drills.

— charlie hatch, Cincinnati.com, "First-place FC Cincinnati hosts 14th-place Richmond Kickers on Saturday night," 15 June 2018
In April, Welch's released a non-alcoholic rosé so more people could participate in the #RoséAllDay trend.

— olivia harrison, refinery29.com, "Wine-Infused Water Is Coming — So Even Your H20 Can Be Part Of The Rosé Trend," 15 June 2018
As the Holy Saturday Resurrection Ceremony begins, locals take to the streets to participate in the undeclared war and shoot fireworks and other explosives into the sky.

— vanesa brashier, Houston Chronicle, "Fireworks show coming to Cleveland July 4," 15 June 2018
The morning anchors participating are Roxanne Vargas, Sheli Muñiz, meteorologist Adam Berg and traffic reporter Kristen Sanchez.

— johnny diaz, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Free coffee and pastelitos with WTVJ-Ch. 6 morning anchors," 15 June 2018
There will be not as many flashing lights and dimmed sound and the actors will be ready for the fact that there may be audience participating a little more than the evening show that night.

— kathy cichon, chicagotribune.com, "Youth theater presents 'Best of Broadway' show at Steel Beam," 14 June 2018
This issue has a solution that each one of us in this room can participate in.

— anita bennett, Fortune, "Actress Brie Larson Calls for More Film Critics of Color, Not Just 'White Dudes'," 14 June 2018
Some 30 women are learning gardening, and another 80 are participating in weaving and sewing workshops.

— hannifah sawadogo, The Christian Science Monitor, "In rural West Africa, gardening offers women a way out of poverty," 14 June 2018
However, the 27-year-old forward is still trying to make it in the league today after signing a 10-day contract with the Lakers last season and participating in the Pistons’ free-agent minicamp this offseason.

— angel guerrero, sacbee, "Booms and busts at No. 2: Kings could draft a Kevin Durant ... or a Darko Milicic," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'participate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of participate

Latin participatus, past participle of participare, from particip-, particeps participant, from part-, pars part + capere to take — more at heave

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1531

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

participate Synonyms

Synonyms

partake, share;

encounter, meet;

accept, receive;

Synonym Discussion of participate

share, participate, partake mean to have, get, or use in common with another or others. share usually implies that one as the original holder grants to another the partial use, enjoyment, or possession of a thing.

- shared my toys with the others

participate implies a having or taking part in an undertaking, activity, or discussion.

- participated in sports

partake implies accepting or acquiring a share especially of food or drink.

- partook freely of the refreshments

PARTICIPATE Defined for English Language Learners

participate

verb

Definition of participate for English Language Learners

: to be involved with others in doing something : to take part in an activity or event with others

PARTICIPATE Defined for Kids

participate

verb par·tic·i·pate \ pər-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt , pär- \

Definition of participate for Students

participated; participating

: to join with others in doing something

Word Root of participate

The Latin word pars, meaning “part,” and its form partis give us the root part. Words from the Latin pars have something to do with a part, section, or portion. To participate is to take part in some activity. Anything partial involves only part of something. A particle is a tiny bit or portion of something. It is easy to see that part itself also comes directly from pars in both form and meaning.