contain

con·tain

verb \kən-ˈtān\

Definition of CONTAIN

transitive verb

1

: to keep within limits: as a : restrain, control <could hardly contain her enthusiasm> b : check, halt <contain the spread of a deadly disease> c : to follow successfully a policy of containment toward <efforts to contain Communism> d : to prevent (as an enemy or opponent) from advancing or from making a successful attack

2

a : to have within : hold b : comprise, include <the bill contains several new clauses>

3

a : to be divisible by usually without a remainder b : enclose, bound

intransitive verb

: to restrain oneself

— con·tain·able \-ˈtā-nə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of CONTAIN

1. The room was barely big enough to contain everyone who came to the meeting.
2. The book contains over 200 recipes.
3. The article contains information on how to plan your retirement.
4. foods that contain a high level of fat
5. The movie contains something for both children and adults.
6. State health officials have succeeded in containing the virus.

Origin of CONTAIN

Middle English conteinen, from Anglo-French cunteign-, cuntyen-, stem of cuntenir, from Latin continēre to hold together, hold in, contain, from com- + tenēre to hold — more at thin

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CONTAIN

Synonyms: bear, boast, hold

Antonyms: exclude, leave (out), miss out [British], omit

Related Words: accommodate, fit, take; case, encase, enclose (also inclose), encompass; harbor, house, lodge, shelter

Near Antonyms: ban, bar, debar, preclude, prevent, prohibit; deny, refuse, reject; eliminate, except, rule out; lose, mislay, misplace

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of CONTAIN

contain, hold, accommodate mean to have or be capable of having within. contain implies the actual presence of a specified substance or quantity within something <the can contains a quart of oil>. hold implies the capacity of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing or keeping <the bookcase will hold all my textbooks>. accommodate stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience <the hall can accommodate 500 people>.