verb

participate

par-TIS-ih-payt/pɑːrˈtɪsɪpeɪt/

To take part in an activity.

Everyone participates in the pottery workshop by shaping a bowl.

Adults actively take part together in a pottery workshop, each shaping a bowl rather than merely watching.

Etymology

partiLatinpart, share

+cipLatinto take

+ateLatinpast-participle ending

The Latin elements for “part” and “take” express the idea of taking a share. That image underlies participating in an event: sharing in what is being done.

In context

BYU Speeches3:49

Is it that I am not wanting to participate in activities? I am more than willing to fulfill my callings, go visiting teaching, take a dinner—that likely my good husband expertly cooked—to another family

On Change and Becoming: Thoughts from a Reluctant Grower | Diane Reich

More examples

Everyone who participated received a certificate.
She declined to participate in the survey.
Local residents are encouraged to participate.

Forms

participate · participates · participated · participating

participation noun — taking part

participant noun — someone taking part

Similar words

join: Become part of something rather than necessarily take an active role.
contribute: Add something toward the shared activity or result.