# participation

/pɑɹˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/ (US) · /pɑːtˈɪsɪpˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/participation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. taking part in an activity

noun · CEFR B2

the act of joining in or being part of an activity or event.

For teachers: the act of participating or taking part in an event, activity, or collective effort.

- The teacher encouraged active participation in the classroom discussion.
- The success of the community garden project relied heavily on the consistent participation of local volunteers throughout the growing season.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'in'.

### 2. consultation and involvement

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the process of letting people give their opinions or help plan a project.

For teachers: the systematic involvement of stakeholders or citizens in decision-making processes or project planning.

- The government promised more public participation in the new urban planning project.
- Effective democratic governance requires meaningful public participation rather than merely symbolic consultation sessions.

Usage: Often used in political or sociological contexts.

### 3. financial interest

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

having a share in the profits or ownership of a business.

For teachers: a right to share in the profits or a specific ownership interest in a financial venture.

- The contract included a profit participation clause for the lead investors.
- The bank secured a participation in the loan syndicate, allowing it to share the risk and the interest returns with other lenders.

## Examples

- The teacher encourages active participation in every lesson.
- The success of the community garden depends entirely on the participation of local volunteers during the planting season.
- While the initial proposal received widespread verbal support, actual participation in the pilot program remained low due to logistical hurdles and a lack of clear incentives for the staff.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.