contribution - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

When you make a contribution, it means you're giving something away — whether it's your money, your possessions, or your time.

A contribution can take many forms. Some contributions are measurable, like a $10 donation to the Salvation Army. Others are less tangible. When a student raises his hand in class to ask a question, he's making a contribution, because the answer to his question enriches the other students' learning experience.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: contribution

1	n	a voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause
2	n	a writing for publication especially one of a collection of writings as an article or story

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: contribution

1

n a voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause

Synonyms:: donation

Types:: show 8 types...; hide 8 types...; benefaction
a contribution of money or assistance; offering
money contributed to a religious organization; political contribution, political donation
a contribution made to a politician or a political campaign or a political party; tithe
an offering of a tenth part of some personal income; offertory
the offerings of the congregation at a religious service; Peter's pence, hearth money
an annual contribution made by Roman Catholics to support the papal see; soft money
political contributions made in such a way as to avoid the United States regulations for federal election campaigns (as by contributions to a political action committee); thank offering
an offering made as an expression of thanks

Type of:: gift
something acquired without compensation

n act of giving in common with others for a common purpose especially to a charity

Synonyms:: donation

Types:: subscription
a pledged contribution; alms
money or goods contributed to the poor

Type of:: gift, giving
the act of giving

n an amount of money contributed

“he expected his contribution to be repaid with interest”

Type of:: amount, amount of money, sum, sum of money
a quantity of money

n the part played by a person in bringing about a result

“I am proud of my contribution in advancing the project”

Synonyms:: part, share

Types:: end
the part you are expected to play

Type of:: attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

2

n a writing for publication especially one of a collection of writings as an article or story

Type of:: publication, publishing
the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution