crowdfunding
noun
Did you know?
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
Chris Lau, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
In an effort to promote clean energy infrastructure, the charging stations was a result of public crowdfunding in West Sacramento, according to a press release.
—Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
The consequences are both financial and emotional, as families often turn to crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe to cover funeral costs — about 125,000 campaigns annually, raising an average of only $2,600, far short of the $6,000–$8,000 typical cost of a funeral.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2026
Early backers can secure the mower at a special crowdfunding price of US$899.
—New Atlas, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for crowdfunding
Cite this Entry
“Crowdfunding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crowdfunding. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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crowdfunding
noun
