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
Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 29 Dec. 2025
This is the perfect time for Virgos to explore conscious investing, real estate, entrepreneurship, high-yield savings accounts, grants, accelerators, stock or bond portfolios, crowdfunding, or even collaborative income partnerships.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 23 Dec. 2025
Early backers on its global crowdfunding campaign are already pushing the project toward major funding goals.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Dec. 2025
The Kode Dot is set to retail at US$169, but it's currently discounted by 40%, down to $129, on its Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.
—New Atlas, 12 Dec. 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 3 Jan. 2026.
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crowdfunding
noun
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