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 of participate

• share
• know

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

O'Connor is among roughly 30 judges, including two former federal judges and a current federal judge, who will participate in the tour. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

Bowen is committed to Oklahoma State but participated in the MLB combine. — Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Dybantsa’s Washington team did not participate in Salt Lake City summer league or the California Classic thus makes his pro debut in Vegas. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Dawkins learned about the group secondhand on Thursday from somebody who was asked to participate. — Charlotte Observer, 9 July 2026

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

Rhymes for participate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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