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.
Blackwell and Jones remain plus contributors on special teams. Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Travel advisors, industry leaders and other contributors nominated towns across the United States. Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Fields, a senior transfer from Louisiana Tech, had been expected to be a major contributor on defense for the Horned Frogs. Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Aug. 2026 ByEverett Potter Everett Potter has been a contributor to Forbes for more than a decade. Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Contributor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contributor. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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