View synonyms for

contain

[ kuhn-teyn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to hold or include within its volume or area:
This glass contains water.
This paddock contains our best horses.
to be capable of holding; have capacity for:
The room will contain 75 persons safely.
to have as contents content or constituent parts; comprise; include.
Synonyms: ,
to keep under proper control; restrain:
He could not contain his amusement.
to prevent or limit the expansion, influence, success, or advance of (a hostile nation, competitor, opposing force, natural disaster, etc.):
to contain an epidemic.
to succeed in preventing the spread of:
efforts to contain water pollution.
Mathematics. (of a number) to be a multiple of; be divisible by, without a remainder:
Ten contains five.
to be equal to:
A quart contains two pints.

contain

/ ��ə��ˈ�ٱ�ɪ�� /

verb

to hold or be capable of holding or including within a fixed limit or area
this contains five pints
to keep (one's feelings, behaviour, etc) within bounds; restrain
to consist of; comprise
the book contains three different sections
military to prevent (enemy forces) from operating beyond a certain level or area
maths
1. to be a multiple of, leaving no remainder
  6 contains 2 and 3
2. to have as a subset

Discover More

Derived Forms

��ǲ�ˈ�ٲ��Բ��, adjective

Discover More

Other Word Forms

��ǲ�·�ٲ��a·�� adjective
��c�ǲ�·�ٲ�� verb (used with object)
un��ǲ�·�ٲ��a·�� adjective

Discover More

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 ��ǲԳپ��ŧ��, equivalent to con- con- + -�پ��ŧ��, verb suffix of �ٱ��ŧ�� “to hold” ( tenet )

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of contain¹

C13: from Old French contenir, from Latin ��ǲԳپ��ŧ��, from com- together + �ٱ��ŧ�� to hold

Discover More

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.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

About a fifth of all complaints contained mention of the failed referendum.

From

Similar to its operations in Iraq, Turkey has also sought to establish a buffer zone along its border with Syria to contain Syrian armed groups allied with the PKK.

From

Kneecap's lyrics frequently contain Republican slang and slogans.

From

The new Gallup poll contains these specific findings:

From

Dr Victoria McCloud, who stepped down from court last year, said the judgement and equality watchdog's new guidance violated her human rights and she felt "contained and segregated".

From

Related Words

contagium contained

Browse