par·tic·i·pa·tive I. \ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌpād.]iv, -āt], ]ēv also ]əv\adjective : participating or capable of participating < social science is by its nature … participative in human affairs — W.H.Sheldon > II. adjective : of, relating to, or being a style of management in which subordinates participate in decision-making