participate

verb

par·​tic·​i·​pate pär-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt How to pronounce participate (audio)
pər-
participated; participating

intransitive verb

1
: to possess some of the attributes of a person, thing, or quality
the individual man participates in the ideal manFrank 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 noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web As the start of the NBA’s regular season inches closer, all 30 teams around the league are currently participating in training camp and preseason games are underway. Nick Crain, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024 Here's what else to know about Hot Brown Week, which is put on in partnership between Louisville Tourism and LEO Weekly: When is Hot Brown Week? Louisville Hot Brown Week runs Oct. 21-27 at participating restaurants. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 7 Oct. 2024 Harris will participate in a Univision town hall on Thursday as shee campaigns in Nevada later this week. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2024 For this deal, travelers must book a participating hotel around the world by Jan. 16, 2025, and stay by Jan. 20, 2025. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for participate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'participate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin participatus, past participle of participare, from particip-, particeps participant, from part-, pars part + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of participate was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near participate

Cite this Entry

“Participate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/participate. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

participate

verb
par·​tic·​i·​pate pər-ˈtis-ə-ˌpāt How to pronounce participate (audio)
pär-
participated; participating
: to take part or have a share in something in common with others
participate in sports
participation
-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən
noun
participator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on participate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!