Contribute vs. Provide

Contributeverb

(ambitransitive) To give something that is or becomes part of a larger whole.

‘to contribute money to a church fund’; ‘to contribute articles to a journal’;

Provideverb

To make a living; earn money for necessities.

‘It is difficult to provide for my family working on minimum wage.’;

Contributeverb

To give or grant i common with others; to give to a common stock or for a common purpose; to furnish or suply in part; to give (money or other aid) for a specified object; as, to contribute food or fuel for the poor.

‘England contributes much more than any other of the allies.’;

Provideverb

To act to prepare for something.

Contributeverb

To give a part to a common stock; to lend assistance or aid, or give something, to a common purpose; to have a share in any act or effect.

‘We are engaged in war; the secretary of state calls upon the colonies to contribute.’;

Provideverb

To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate.

‘The contract provides that the work be well done.’; ‘I'll lend you the money, provided that you pay it back by Monday.’;

Contributeverb

To give or use one's power or influence for any object; to assist.

‘These men also contributed to obstruct the progress of wisdom.’;

Provideverb

To give what is needed or desired, especially basic needs.

‘Don't bother bringing equipment, as we will provide it.’; ‘We aim to provide the local community with more green spaces.’;

Contributeverb

bestow a quality on;

‘Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company’; ‘The music added a lot to the play’; ‘She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings’; ‘This adds a light note to the program’;

Provideverb

To furnish (with), cause to be present.

Contributeverb

contribute to some cause;

‘I gave at the office’;

Provideverb

To make possible or attainable.

‘He provides us with an alternative option.’;

Contributeverb

be conducive to;

‘The use of computers in the classroom lead to better writing’;

Provideverb

To foresee.

Contributeverb

provide;

‘The city has to put up half the required amount’;

Provideverb

To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See provisor.

Provideverb

To look out for in advance; to procure beforehand; to get, collect, or make ready for future use; to prepare.

Provideverb

To supply; to afford; to contribute.

‘Bring me berries, or such cooling fruitAs the kind, hospitable woods provide.’;

Provideverb

To furnish; to supply; - formerly followed by of, now by with.

Provideverb

To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate; as, the contract provides that the work be well done.

Provideverb

To foresee.

Provideverb

To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is vacant. See Provisor.

Provideverb

To procure supplies or means in advance; to take measures beforehand in view of an expected or a possible future need, especially a danger or an evil; - followed by against or for; as, to provide against the inclemency of the weather; to provide for the education of a child.

‘Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants.’;

Provideverb

To stipulate previously; to condition; as, the agreement provides for an early completion of the work.

Provideverb

provide or furnish with;

‘We provided the room with an electrical heater’;

Provideverb

provide what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance;

‘The hostess provided lunch for all the guests’;

Provideverb

determine (what is to happen in certain contingencies), especially by including a proviso condition or stipulation;

‘The will provides that each child should receive half of the money’; ‘The Constitution provides for the right to free speech’;

Provideverb

mount or put up;

‘put up a good fight’; ‘offer resistance’;

Provideverb

make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain;

‘This leaves no room for improvement’; ‘The evidence allows only one conclusion’; ‘allow for mistakes’; ‘leave lots of time for the trip’; ‘This procedure provides for lots of leeway’;

Provideverb

supply means of subsistence; earn a living;

‘He provides for his large family by working three jobs’; ‘Women nowadays not only take care of the household but also bring home the bacon’;

Provideverb

take measures in preparation for;

‘provide for the proper care of the passengers on the cruise ship’;