contributing factor
noun
: something that helps cause a result
According to the police report of the accident, excessive speed was a contributing factor.
—often + to/inThe coach's positive attitude was a contributing factor to/in the team's success.
Examples of contributing factor in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
According to the document, a pulmonary embolism — when a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow — was also a contributing factor.
—
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
The authors speculated that pesticides might be a contributing factor.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
Investigators say that speeding is believed to be a contributing factor to this crash.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
The Herald asked Healey if the state’s climate policies, like the NetZero mandate, are a contributing factor to the high number of businesses moving operations out of Massachusetts.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contributing factor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026
The authors speculated that pesticides might be a contributing factor.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026
Investigators say that speeding is believed to be a contributing factor to this crash.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
The Herald asked Healey if the state’s climate policies, like the NetZero mandate, are a contributing factor to the high number of businesses moving operations out of Massachusetts.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contributing factor
Cite this Entry
“Contributing factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contributing%20factor. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
