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/in

The 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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

The number of votes a beach receives is a contributing factor to its appearance on our list as well as its ranking. —

Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2024 The statement said that the initial investigation indicates impairment was not a contributing factor in the collision but that charges were possible after the investigation is complete. Catawba County is about an hour northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. —

NBC News, 28 Sep. 2024 Apache Junction police identified the driver as 73-year-old Thomas Edward Kain and said alcohol was a contributing factor. —

Kerria Weaver, The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2024 Brooks said that social media is a contributing factor to the decline of interpersonal skills for the younger generations. —

Doc Louallen, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contributing factor

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contributing factor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contributing%20factor. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation