adjective
- helping to cause or add to a result or situation
- involving shared responsibility or blame
Usage: legal
Examples
- Poor weather was a contributory factor in the accident.
- Smoking is contributory to heart disease.
- The jury found contributory negligence on both sides.
- Several contributory causes led to the company's failure.
- Stress can be contributory to many health problems.
- The investigation revealed contributory factors beyond driver error.