A contributory factor of a problem or accident is one of the things which caused it to exist or happen.
[formal]
We now know that repressing anger is a contributory factor in many physical illnesses.
...an allegation of contributory negligence.
contributory in British English
(kənˈtrɪbjʊtərɪ, -trɪ)
adjective
1. (often foll by to)
sharing in or being partly responsible (for the cause of something)
a contributory factor
2.
giving or donating to a common purpose or fund
3.
of, relating to, or designating an insurance or pension scheme in which the premiums are paid partly by the employer and partly by the employees who benefit from it
4.
liable or subject to a tax or levy
nounWord forms: plural-ries
5.
a person or thing that contributes
6. company law
a member or former member of a company liable to contribute to the assets on the winding-up of the company
contributory in American English
(kənˈtrɪbjuˌtɔri)
adjective
1.
contributing, as to a common fund
2.
having a share in bringing about a result
contributory negligence
3.
involving, or having the nature of, a contribution
nounWord forms: pluralconˈtribuˌtories
4.
a person or thing that contributes
Word origin
ME contributorie < ML contributorius
contributory in Insurance
(kəntrɪbyətɔri)
adjective
(Insurance: Life insurance)
A contributory insurance or pension scheme is one in which the premiums are paid partly by the employerand partly by the employees who benefit from it.
A contributory fund is a fund to which members make contributions, deducted from weekly wages ormonthly salaries.
With a contributory plan, the employees pay part of the premiums of a group life, health, or pensionpolicy.
A contributory insurance or pension scheme is one in which the premiums are paid partly by the employerand partly by the employees who benefit from it.
Related wordsThe opposite of this is noncontributory, where the total cost of premiums are paid by the company.
Examples of 'contributory' in a sentence
contributory
There is contributory negligence in this disturbing prospect.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There is no attempt in the austerity programme to protect contributory benefits.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
An inherited factor is established but there are other contributory causes.
Mills, Simon The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism (1985)
Long-term stress is also a contributory factor.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He said that reading was the principal contributory factor towards maintaining his sanity.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Bad weather is cited as a contributory factor in most recent crashes.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It would mean that the residual contributory elements of benefits were extended, not frozen.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Global warming is merely an aspect of biodiversity loss, a contributory cause.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
A degree of contributory negligence was involved.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Arguments over lenders' contributory negligence in handing out money to all and sundry is an obvious line of attack.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It was a contributory factor.
The Sun (2012)
If you can identify contributory factors, improving your general health and finding ways to manage stress more effectively will help enormously.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Another contributory factor to problems in hot weather that is usually overlooked is the danger of excessive exercise in hot, humid weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A contributory factor to the dropout... is the poor qualifications of those recruited.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In contributory schemes, both the employer and employee invest in a tax-free fund that grows during the savings period.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It is almost inevitable, and certainly desirable, that contributory benefits should continue to decline as a proportion of social security spending.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Should the worst happen, you could hardly be surprised if a jury felt you had been guilty of a degree of contributory negligence '.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Feeling stressed, overstretched and not in control are the main contributory factors to femaleweight loss, and these particular women are under more or less constant scrutiny.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
On the question of contributory negligence each party had caused the injury in that, if either had taken proper care, the accident would probably have been avoided.