contain

[kuhn-teyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to hold or include within its volume or area.

   This glass contains water.

   This paddock contains our best horses.

2. to be capable of holding; have capacity for.

   The room will contain 75 persons safely.

3. to have as contents content or constituent parts; comprise; include.

   Synonyms: embrace, embody

4. to keep under proper control; restrain.

   He could not contain his amusement.

5. to prevent or limit the expansion, influence, success, or advance of (a hostile nation, competitor, opposing force, natural disaster, etc.).

   to contain an epidemic.

6. to succeed in preventing the spread of.

   efforts to contain water pollution.

7. Mathematics.,  (of a number) to be a multiple of; be divisible by, without a remainder.

   Ten contains five.

8. to be equal to.

   A quart contains two pints.

contain

/ kənˈteɪn /

verb

1. to hold or be capable of holding or including within a fixed limit or area

   this contains five pints

2. to keep (one's feelings, behaviour, etc) within bounds; restrain

3. to consist of; comprise

   the book contains three different sections

4. military to prevent (enemy forces) from operating beyond a certain level or area

5. maths

   1. to be a multiple of, leaving no remainder

      6 contains 2 and 3

   2. to have as a subset

Other Word Forms

• containable adjective
• precontain verb (used with object)
• uncontainable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contain¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English conte(y)nen, from Anglo-French contener, Old French contenir, from Latin continēre, equivalent to con- con- + -tinēre, verb suffix of tenēre “to hold” ( tenet )

Word History and Origins

Origin of contain¹

C13: from Old French contenir, from Latin continēre, from com- together + tenēre to hold

Synonym Study

Contain, accommodate, hold, express the idea that something is so designed that something else can exist or be placed within it. Contain refers to what is actually within a given container. Hold emphasizes the idea of keeping within bounds; it refers also to the greatest amount or number that can be kept within a given container. Accommodate means to contain comfortably or conveniently, or to meet the needs of a certain number. A passenger plane that accommodates 50 passengers may be able to hold 60, but at a given time may contain only 30.

Example Sentences

However, we suspect it actually contains spice, a more potent drug that is highly addictive and can cause serious side effects.

From BBC

In January, crews struggled to contain a devastating firestorm that decimated portions of Altadena and the Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

A true rock ’n’ roll persona, the artist was once rarely seen without a drooping cigarette and a top hat, the latter of which could barely contain his face-engulfing curly hair.

From Los Angeles Times

But, he added, the trip also contained an important—albeit rueful—lesson for him.

From Los Angeles Times

“Each count must identify the particular legal basis for liability and contain specific factual allegations that support each cause of action within each count,” Cannon wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accommodate 
• consist of www.thesaurus.com
• enclose 
• encompass 
• have 
• incorporate 
• involve