contributory

adjective

con·​trib·​u·​to·​ry kən-ˈtri-byə-ˌtȯr-ē 

1

: of, relating to, or forming a contribution : playing a part in bringing about an end or result

The lack of cultural empathy among the principal statesmen in the late 1930s is identified as an important contributory factor in the slide toward war …

—Colin S. Gray

Infection was a contributory but not primary cause of death in another nine patients.

—Graeme F. Washer

2

: relating to or being an employee benefit (such as a retirement account) that is funded at least in part by employee contributions

a contributory 401(k) plan

3

: subject to or contributing to a common fund or enterprise : subject to levy or furnishing a share or contingent

contributory allies

contributorily

kən-ˌtri-byə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē 

adverb

was found to be contributorily negligent

Examples of contributory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It was later determined that the French Connection star died around Feb. 17 from heart disease with Alzheimer's disease as a significant contributory factor, while Arakawa died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2025

Alzheimer’s disease was a significant contributory factor in Hackman’s death. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2025

Heat stress was listed as a contributory factor to her death. —Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 31 July 2024

The oil and gas companies can raise a contributory negligence defense on two fronts. —Ed Hirs, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English contributorie, contributarie "liable for payment of a levy or assessment, making contribution to a cause," borrowed from Anglo-French contributoire, contributorie, borrowed from Medieval Latin contribūtōrius, from Latin contribū-, variant stem of contribuere "to join into one unit, attach (to a polity or ruler), give as a portion or share" + -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix originally forming derivatives from agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor — more at contribute

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for contributory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory

Kids Definition

contributory

adjective

con·​trib·​u·​to·​ry kən-ˈtrib-yə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-ē

: serving to contribute

especially : helping to accomplish a result

Legal Definition

contributory

adjective

con·​trib·​u·​to·​ry kən-ˈtri-byə-ˌtōr-ē 

1

: characterized by or making contributions to a common fund or enterprise

specifically : of, relating to, or being an employee benefit plan to which both employers and employees make contributions

2

: helping to bring about an end or result

contributory infringement