containment

noun

con·​tain·​ment kən-ˈtān-mənt 

1

: the act, process, or means of keeping something within limits

the containment of health costs

2

: the policy, process, or result of preventing the expansion of a hostile power or ideology

Examples of containment in a Sentence

The company's hazardous waste containment plan is being reviewed.

The government needs to adopt a containment strategy.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is currently no information about the containment efforts for the fire and its cause has not yet been determined. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2025

This policy of containment has persisted ever since, whereby politicians of the right and center-right could at once embrace Head Start and reject the communist temptations of comprehensive child care—and also reject a more generous social safety net over all. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 10 May 2025

There’s a bit more humidity and lighter winds in the area, which are positive factors in fire containment. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025

Develop a clear incident response plan that outlines roles, communication protocols and steps for containment. —Ian Bramson, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

contain + -ment

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for containment

• arraignment
• attainment
• entrainment
• sustainment
• ascertainment
• entertainment