participatory

adjective

par·​tic·​i·​pa·​to·​ry pär-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce participatory (audio)
pər-
: characterized by or involving participation
especially : providing the opportunity for individual participation
participatory democracy
participatory management

Examples of participatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the early years of the Cold War, government bulletins began emphasizing participatory learning and critical thinking, with NSF funding eventually revolutionizing the American science classroom with a new focus on experiment and other hands-on application of scientific knowledge. Jessica George, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2025 Consciousness isn’t confined to the brain, but a process, a movement, a participatory field. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 In 2017 and 2018, researchers combined participatory mapping with indigenous and other knowledge to assess the probability that echidnas still existed. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 June 2025 The community surveys and participatory design discussions got residents talking about heat. Thomas E. Weber, Time, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for participatory

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of participatory was in 1881

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Cite this Entry

“Participatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/participatory. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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