participate

verb

par·​tic·​i·​pate pär-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt 

pər-

participated; participating

transitive verb

archaic : partake

intransitive verb

1

: to possess some of the attributes of a person, thing, or quality

the individual man participates in the ideal man

—Frank Thilly

2

a

: to take part

always participates in class discussions

b

: to have a part or share in something

Your mother participates in this ambition …

—Edith Wharton

participator

pär-ˈti-sə-ˌpā-tər 

pər-

noun

Synonyms

• partake
• share

Choose the Right Synonym for participate

share, participate, partake mean to have, get, or use in common with another or others.

share usually implies that one as the original holder grants to another the partial use, enjoyment, or possession of a thing.

shared my toys with the others

participate implies a having or taking part in an undertaking, activity, or discussion.

participated in sports

partake implies accepting or acquiring a share especially of food or drink.

partook freely of the refreshments

Examples of participate in a Sentence

Most people joined the game, but a few chose not to participate.

eager to participate in the city's cultural life

Recent Examples on the Web

Pilot offers free drink with the purchase of any two slices of pizza On Sunday, customers can buy two slices of pizza and get a free medium Coke at participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers, the company told USA TODAY. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

Although Steph Curry is Golden State’s lone All-Star, the Warriors have a franchise record eight players participating in the festivities next week. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2025

Winner: McAfee Scores From Our Hands-On Tests Lab scores are a handy metric, but many security companies, even some big ones, don’t participate in the labs' independent tests. —PCMAG, 9 Feb. 2025

Once Fox cut to the commercial break that included the Rocket ad, the stadium crowd as invited to participate via use of promotional announcements, a D.J. and the facility’s various screens. —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 9 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin participatus, past participle of participare, from particip-, particeps participant, from part-, pars part + capere to take — more at heave entry 1

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

participate

verb

par·​tic·​i·​pate pər-ˈtis-ə-ˌpāt 

pär-

participated; participating

: to take part or have a share in something in common with others

participate in sports

participation

-ˌtis-ə-ˈpā-shən

noun

participator

-ˈtis-ə-ˌpāt-ər 

noun