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 Sami participated in the teacher strike in 2019 Rami returned the support that same year when his brother participated in the teacher strike in L.A. in a fight for more public school funding. Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 1 Oct. 2023 Williams and Tennessee Titans offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere are eligible to return to their teams on Monday while free agent Stanley Berryhill can participate in all activities, including games beginning Tuesday. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 30 Sep. 2023 The Seventh-day Adventists of Loma Linda, California—America’s only blue zone—share the same values, including spending time outdoors, participating in the Sabbath, and spending 24 hours disconnected from work and technology. Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 30 Sep. 2023 Trump tax leak defendant participated in Washington Post Magazine's Date Lab in 2018 Littlejohn was charged by criminal information, a type of charging document typically used when a defendant has agreed to plead guilty and waived the right to indictment. Spencer S. Hsu, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2023 Scripps began notifying about 32,000 beneficiaries Tuesday that, starting Jan. 1, 2024, its coastal and clinic medical groups would no longer participate in the popular Medicare option that has private health insurance companies administer benefits. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2023 According to the guild’s website, this has also meant that major acting talent cannot participate in promotion for past and upcoming work. Tatler, Glamour, 29 Sep. 2023 Trump opted to give a speech Wednesday night at Drake Enterprises, a nonunion factory, instead of participating in the Republican debate. Tori Otten, The New Republic, 28 Sep. 2023 Jackson announced his intent to resign at an Aug. 23 housing authority board meeting, but participated in two meetings shortly thereafter. Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2023 See More

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 4 Oct. 2023.

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
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