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

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

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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