crowdfunding
noun
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Crowdsourcing and crowdfunding are two words that have recently found their way into the crowded pool of English. Crowdsourcing, which typically refers to the practice of soliciting services, ideas, or content from a large group of people online, was coined by Jeff Howe in a 2006 article in Wired, and crowdfunding was created by entrepreneur Michael Sullivan in that same year. Both words conceptualize "the crowd" as a vast online community from which something needed may be obtained. In crowdsourcing, the crowd is called upon for needed assistance or information. A well-known use of crowdsourcing is Wikipedia, whose content is the result of various contributors. Crowdfunding, on the other hand, involves a more specific request: the crowd is solicited for financial contributions to a particular venture or cause, such as a film project or cancer research.
Examples of crowdfunding in a Sentence
Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Brooklyn Org will host its annual Brooklyn Gives event, a crowdfunding campaign with a goal of raising over $1 million for local nonprofits.
—Saleen Martin, The Courier-Journal, 3 Dec. 2024
After several initial prototypes, the team now has a functional version ready, has met its funding goal of $10,000, and aims to begin shipping orders starting February 2025 if all goes according to plan (the usual crowdfunding cautions apply).
—New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2024
The wearable is now available for preorder through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign with delivery expected as early as July 2025.
—Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crowdfunding 
Dictionary Entries Near crowdfunding
Cite this Entry
“Crowdfunding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crowdfunding. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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