Participation: meaning, definitions and examples

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participation

 

[ pɑː(r)tɪsɪˈpeɪʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in social events

The action of taking part in something. Involvement in a particular activity or event.

Synonyms

engagement, inclusion, involvement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
participation

Used when referring to actively taking part in an activity, event, or process.

  • Her participation in the discussion was crucial to its success
  • The teacher encourages student participation in class
involvement

Denotes being connected or associated with an activity or organization, sometimes indicating a more passive role compared to participation.

  • His involvement in the community is well-known
  • She has no involvement in the decision-making process
engagement

Refers to being deeply involved or interested in an activity or topic, often with a strong emotional or mental commitment.

  • Her engagement with the project showed her dedication
  • The lecture failed to capture the students' engagement
inclusion

Used when referring to the act of making someone or something part of a group or activity, often emphasizing fairness and equality.

  • The company's policies promote the inclusion of diverse voices
  • Inclusion of all students, regardless of their abilities, is important

Examples of usage

  • He is known for his active participation in community events.
  • Her participation in the discussion was crucial for reaching a decision.
  • The participation of all team members is essential for the project's success.
Context #2 | Noun

in voting or elections

The act of taking part in an activity or decision, such as voting in an election.

Synonyms

engagement, involvement, voting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
participation

Use when referring to the act of taking part in an event, activity, or group.

  • Her participation in the project was crucial for its success
  • Participation in the meeting is mandatory
involvement

Use when referring to being included in a situation or activity, often indicating a contribution of effort or time but not necessarily implying deep commitment.

  • His involvement in the community project inspired many
  • Parental involvement is key to children's success in school
engagement

Use when referring to a deeper level of involvement and interest, often implying ongoing commitment or interaction.

  • The speaker's engagement with the audience was impressive
  • Employee engagement is essential for company growth
voting

Use when specifically referring to the act of making a choice or decision in a formal context, usually in the context of elections or organizational decisions.

  • Voting in the national elections is a civic duty
  • The committee is voting on the new proposal tomorrow

Examples of usage

  • Voter participation in the upcoming election is expected to be high.
  • Encouraging participation in the democratic process is important for a functioning society.
Context #3 | Noun

in sports or competitions

The act of competing or playing a sport.

Synonyms

competition, engagement, involvement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
participation

Use 'participation' when referring to the act of taking part in an activity or event, often in a formal or organized setting.

  • Her participation in the project was essential to its success.
  • The teacher encouraged student participation in the class discussion.
involvement

Use 'involvement' to describe the state of being included in an activity or event, often implying a deeper or more personal connection than participation.

  • Her involvement in the charity organization spans over ten years.
  • Parental involvement in a child's education is crucial for their success.
engagement

Use 'engagement' when referring to the level of interest and involvement someone shows towards an activity or event. This can be emotional or intellectual.

  • The seminar was designed to increase student engagement with the topic.
  • Their engagement in the community service project was commendable.
competition

Use 'competition' when referring to a situation where people or groups are trying to win or be more successful than others.

  • He won the chess competition.
  • The fierce competition among businesses drives innovation.

Examples of usage

  • Her participation in the marathon was a personal challenge.
  • Team participation is key to winning team sports.

Translations

Translations of the word "participation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 participação

🇮🇳 भागीदारी

🇩🇪 Teilnahme

🇮🇩 partisipasi

🇺🇦 участь

🇵🇱 uczestnictwo

🇯🇵 参加 (さんか)

🇫🇷 participation

🇪🇸 participación

🇹🇷 katılım

🇰🇷 참여 (cham-yeo)

🇸🇦 مشاركة

🇨🇿 účast

🇸🇰 účasť

🇨🇳 参与 (cānyù)

🇸🇮 udeležba

🇮🇸 þátttaka

🇰🇿 қатысу

🇬🇪 მონაწილეობა

🇦🇿 iştirak

🇲🇽 participación

Etymology

The word 'participation' originated from the Latin word 'participatio', which means 'sharing' or 'partaking'. It has been used in English since the 14th century, initially in the context of religious or philosophical discussions. Over time, the meaning expanded to include involvement in various activities, events, and decision-making processes.

See also: nonparticipation, participant, participating, participative, participatory.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,841, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.