contributor

noun

con·​trib·​u·​tor kən-ˈtri-byə-tər How to pronounce contributor (audio)
-bə-
-ˌbyü-
Synonyms of contributornext
: someone or something that contributes something or that contributes to something
charitable contributors
… have suggested that the fee would hurt the agriculture industry, a sector they claim is the largest contributor to the state economy.Wenonah Hauter
… was illustrated by Oliver Munday, a frequent contributor to the Book Review …John Williams
These particles, which are known as black carbon and are the major component of soot, are the second most important contributor to global warming, behind only carbon dioxide, wrote the 31 authors of the study …Elisabeth Rosenthal

Examples of contributor 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.
Coach Mike McCarthy and QB Aaron Rodgers also believe that third-year wide receiver Roman Wilson has taken the necessary step forward to be a key contributor this year. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 The Kansas City Royals finished Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays without one of their key offensive contributors. Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2026 The entire secondary is filled with journeymen, special teams contributors, fragile talents or players lacking experience. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026 Every year the Hall expects to consider 13 players, one coach and one contributor as its candidates. Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contributor

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contributour "person who pays a tax or assessment," borrowed from Anglo-French, "one who pays a share of a tax or fine," from Latin contribūt-, past participle stem of Latin contribuere "to give as a portion or share" + -our -or entry 1 — more at contribute

First Known Use

circa 1531, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of contributor was circa 1531

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contributor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contributor. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on contributor

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster