contribution

 
Pronunciation: /kɒntrɪˈbjuːʃ(ə)n/

noun

  • a gift or payment to a common fund or collection: the agency is mainly financed from voluntary contributions
  • the part played by a person or thing in bringing about a result or helping something to advance: the major contribution of social scientists to the understanding of political life
  • a piece of writing submitted for publication in a journal, book, etc.: local historians are requesting contributions for a forthcoming book on the history of the community

Origin:

late Middle English (denoting a tax or levy): from late Latin contributio(n-), from Latin contribuere 'bring together, add' (see contribute)