participate

verb

par·​tic·​i·​pate pär-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt How to pronounce participate (audio)
pər-
participated; participating

intransitive verb

1
: to possess some of the attributes of a person, thing, or quality
the individual man participates in the ideal manFrank 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 noun
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 For more information about the Light the World in Teal program, including a list of all participating locations, visit lighttheworldinteal.com. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 31 Oct. 2024 Member prices on fuel: Save up to 10 cents per gallon at over 14,000 participating gas stations nationwide. Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024 Doesn’t flexibility make team members more willing to participate, create and innovate? Chris Westfall, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Other companies, universities and foundations are participating. Alison Snyder, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for participate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'participate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of participate was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near participate

Cite this Entry

“Participate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/participate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

participate

verb
par·​tic·​i·​pate pər-ˈtis-ə-ˌpāt How to pronounce participate (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on participate

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