participate

play

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

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
2a : to take part always participates in class discussionsb : 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

Sutherland has participated in other campaigns, including a search for exoplanets using data from the Kepler Space Telescope.

— marina koren, The Atlantic, "People Are Turning to Outer Space for Relief From Trump News", 2 June 2017
A rights group says Serbian police have banned a former Kosovo president from entering the country to participate in an event designed to boost dialogue between the former war foes.

— the associated press, The Seattle Times, "Ex-Kosovo leader not allowed into Serbia for book promotion", 2 June 2017
Withdrawal would put the U.S. in league with just two other nations -- Syria and Nicaragua -- that aren’t participating in the agreement.

— jennifer a dlouhy, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Still Deciding Whether to Leave Paris Climate Deal, Sources Say", 31 May 2017
The president participated in the somber, annual observance at Arlington National Cemetery.

— associated press, Washington Post, "The Latest: Trump honors fallen in Memorial Day address", 30 May 2017
The soldiers were participating in a large-scale training exercises at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Mississippi Army National Guard soldier killed, 3 injured", 30 May 2017
The Glenbrook South High School marching band participated.

— karie angell luc, chicagotribune.com, "Glenview marks Memorial Day with parade and ceremony", 30 May 2017
In the past year, Yachty has participated in a number of verbal cage matches with members of the hip-hop establishment, who see him as a sacrilegious figure—a symbol of decay.

— carrie battan, The New Yorker, "What Lil Yachty’s Optimism Means", 29 May 2017
Last October, Dr. Green participated in a panel discussion about medical deaths in the little public recreation center near Mr. Shields’s home.

— catherine porter photographs and video by leslye davis, New York Times, "At His Own Wake, Celebrating Life and the Gift of Death", 25 May 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1531

See Words from the same year

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

play

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

play

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.