[k?n'tr?bju:t, 'k?ntr?bju:t]
¦ verb give in order to help achieve or provide something.
?(contribute to) help to cause or bring about.
Derivatives
contribution noun
contributive k?n'tr?b- adjective
contributor noun
Origin
C16 (earlier (ME) as contribution): from L. contribut-, contribuere 'bring together, add', from con- 'with' + tribuere 'bestow'.
Usage
The first pronunciation, which puts the stress on -tri-, is held to be the only correct one, despite the fact that the alternative, with the stress on con-, is older.