participate

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

|Updated on: 13 Aug 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

Harper hasn't participated in a Home Run Derby in five years, and word is Major League Baseball felt the need to do some convincing.

— chelsea janes, chicagotribune.com, "Bryce Harper plays All-Star week host in a city he could soon be leaving," 13 July 2018
Apple’s largest iPhone assembler, Foxconn Technology Group, isn’t participating in the fund.

— tripp mickle, WSJ, "Apple Sets $300 Million Clean Energy Fund for China Amid Trade Tensions," 12 July 2018
Baker is not participating in the public funding system.

— joshua miller, BostonGlobe.com, "Gonzalez, Massie get cash infusion from public financing," 12 July 2018
There’s nothing to indicate Cruz was referred to the juvenile justice system for the vandalism offense, which is the normal procedure for students assigned to PROMISE who don’t participate or complete it.

— scott travis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Nikolas Cruz's record in PROMISE program is a mystery," 10 July 2018
When guitarist Tom Johnston became ill and couldn’t participate on one of the band’s tours, McDonald was hired as his replacement.

— alan sculley, sacbee, "Michael McDonald finding his way to coolness in reboot, plays Crest tonight," 10 July 2018
The past two winners, New York Yankees outfielders Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, won't participate, and Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout has also nixed the idea.

— jeff wilson, star-telegram, "For Choo, All-Star nod a career goal. Home Run Derby? 'Probably not'," 9 July 2018
Many schools didn't participate in the air-raid drills.

— Fox News, "SKorea suspends civilian drills to help talks with NKorea," 9 July 2018
The rookie guard did not participate in the morning’s shootaround for Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

— keith pompey, Philly.com, "Sixers' Landry Shamet to miss rest of NBA Summer League with sprained ankle," 7 July 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.