participate

verb

par·​tic·​i·​pate pär-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt 

pər-

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

pär-ˈti-sə-ˌpā-tər 

pər-

noun

Synonyms

• partake
• share

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

President Joe Biden and members of his national security team told their counterparts the US would not participate in any offensive action against Iran. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

But this official and others who spoke in official briefings, background interviews and on television throughout the day, emphasized that the United States would not participate in any offensive Israeli response against Iran. —Matt Viser, Washington Post, 15 Apr. 2024

Advertisement But nearly three years after the program became widely available, Latinos like Ahumada are underrepresented, making up just 20% of those participating as of December. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Biden made clear in a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not participate in any offensive action against Iran, according to a senior administration official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the private conversation and spoke on condition of anonymity. —Zeke J Miller, Fortune, 14 Apr. 2024

Privately, there have been multiple leaks, some claiming merely that the U.S. would not be participating in any response, others claiming that Biden would outright oppose a response. —The Editors, National Review, 14 Apr. 2024

Washington — In the aftermath of the unprecedented airstrikes by Iran against Israel, President Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will not participate in a reprisal strike on Iran, according to a senior administration official. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2024

Mircea Monroe played Ken's wife, Mercedes, who participated in a foursome with Ken and the Kid. —Danny Horn, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2024

Censorship fights are dependent on communities coming out to support intellectual freedom and on students participating in advocacy. —Lizz Schumer, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024

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

Kids Definition

participate

verb

par·​tic·​i·​pate pər-ˈtis-ə-ˌpāt 

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

-ˈtis-ə-ˌpāt-ər 

noun