crowdfunding
noun
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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
Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Her crowdfunding campaign has since raised more than $11,300 toward a $10,500 goal.
—Oumou Fofana, Essence, 29 July 2025
All crowdfunding campaigns carry an element of risk, but to that end, iKoffy notes it's been in the food gadgets business for a while now with a record of shipping products worldwide.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 24 July 2025
In addition to turning to her equity, numerous crowdfunding sites have been kick-started to help Read chip away at her legal fees – a common tactic used in high-profile court cases where bills could rise into the seven figures.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for crowdfunding
Cite this Entry
“Crowdfunding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crowdfunding. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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