IPA: /ˈkraʊdˌfʌndɪŋ/
KK: /ˈkraʊdˌfʌndɪŋ/
A method of raising money for a project or venture by collecting small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically through online platforms.
The startup successfully launched its new product through crowdfunding, receiving support from thousands of backers.
Crowdfunding is formed from "crowd" (from Old English "crūda", meaning a group of people) and "funding" (from the verb "fund", which comes from Latin "fundare", meaning to establish or lay a foundation). The term refers to the act of gathering financial contributions from a large group of people to support a project or venture.
Think of a 'group of people' ('crowd') coming together to 'establish' or 'support' something financially — that's what crowdfunding means.