contribution

IPA/ˌkɒntrɪˈbjuːʃn/
KK[kˌɑntrəbjˈuʃən]IPA/ˌkɑːntrɪˈbjuːʃn/

contribution — noun

  • contributionsingular
  • contributionsplural

1. the money, time, effort, or ideas that a person gives to help a group achieve a

1.nounB1
Definition

the money, time, effort, or ideas that a person gives to help a group achieve a shared aim

Example

Christopher made a large contribution to the local library's building fund.

make a + adj + contribution to + fund / cause

Every team member's contribution was needed for the project to succeed.

team member's contribution + be + needed for

Common collocations
  • make a contribution
  • major contribution
  • significant contribution
  • small contribution
  • contribution to society
  • financial contribution
Synonyms
  • donation

    money or goods given, usually to a charity — more limited than contribution, which also covers time and ideas

  • input

    ideas, opinions, or effort given to a discussion or project — less formal and rarely used for money

  • offering

    more formal, often used in religious or ceremonial contexts

Antonyms
  • withdrawal

    taking something back or away, the opposite of giving

Grammar Patterns

make a contribution to + noun phrase

contribution of + noun phrase

someone's contribution to + noun phrase

Usage Note

This sense can refer to money, time, effort, ideas, or physical help. The preposition to is used to name the recipient or purpose.

Common Mistakes

I made a contribution for the project.
I made a contribution to the project.
Use 'to', not 'for', after 'contribution' when naming what the contribution supports.
She gave a contribution of time at the school.
She made a contribution of her time to the school.
Use 'make a contribution', not 'give a contribution', as the verb collocation.

2. a piece of writing, a photograph, or other material that someone creates for a m

2.nounB2
Definition

a piece of writing, a photograph, or other material that someone creates for a magazine, book, website, or broadcast program

Example

Nila submitted her first contribution to the school newspaper last Friday.

submit someone's [first] contribution to [publication]

The journal accepts contributions from both professional and amateur writers.

accept contributions from [writers / contributors]

Common collocations
  • submit a contribution
  • accept contributions
  • solicit contributions
  • written contribution
  • original contribution
Synonyms
  • submission

    a piece sent in for consideration, often in response to a call for contributions — more formal

  • article

    a piece of non-fiction writing in a publication — narrower than contribution, which also includes photos, poems, etc.

  • piece

    a general word for a short piece of writing — less specific than contribution in publishing contexts

Grammar Patterns

submit a contribution to + publication

accept contributions from + people

Usage Note

Typically used in publishing contexts. The contributor may be a professional writer or an unpaid volunteer. A contribution can be an article, a story, a photo, an illustration, or a poem.

3. money that a worker or employer pays regularly into a fund for future benefits s

3.nounB2
Definition

money that a worker or employer pays regularly into a fund for future benefits such as a pension, health insurance, or social security

Example

Eleni checks her monthly pension contribution on the company website.

monthly pension contribution [typical collocation]

The government raised the minimum social security contribution for all workers.

social security contribution [typical collocation]

Common collocations
  • monthly contribution
  • pension contribution
  • retirement contribution
  • employer contribution
  • matching contribution
  • make contributions to
  • increase contributions
Synonyms
  • payment

    any sum of money given — more general, does not imply a regular schedule or a specific benefit fund

  • premium

    a regular payment for an insurance policy — narrower than contribution, which also covers pensions and retirement funds

  • installment

    one of several payments spread over time — does not imply a relationship to an employer benefits plan

Antonyms
  • withdrawal

    taking money out of a fund or account, the opposite of paying in

Grammar Patterns

make contributions to + pension / fund / plan

pay contribution + to + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used in formal financial contexts. The preposition to indicates the fund or plan receiving the money. This sense is frequently found in discussions of retirement planning, health insurance, and government social programs.

Common Mistakes

I need to pay my contribution for pension.
I need to make my contribution to the pension plan.
Use 'make a contribution to', not 'pay contribution for'.