pertain

verb

per·​tain pər-ˈtān 

pertained; pertaining; pertains

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to belong as a part, member, accessory, or product

(2)

: to belong as an attribute, feature, or function

the destruction pertaining to war

(3)

: to belong as a duty or right

rights that pertain to fatherhood

b

: to be appropriate to something

which rule pertains?

2

: to have reference

books pertaining to birds

Did you know?

Pertain comes to English via Anglo-French from the Latin verb pertinēre, meaning "to reach to" or "to belong." Pertinēre, in turn, was formed by combining the prefix per- (meaning "through") and tenēre ("to hold"). Tenēre is a popular root in English words and often manifests with the -tain spelling that can be seen in pertain. Other descendants include abstain, contain, detain, maintain, obtain, retain, and sustain, to name a few of the more common ones. Not every -tain word has tenēre in its ancestry, though. Ascertain, attain, and certain are among the exceptions. And a few tenēre words don't follow the usual pattern: tenacious and tenure are two.

Synonyms

• appertain
• belong

Examples of pertain in a Sentence

books pertaining to the country's history

the belief that quality medical care is a right that pertains to everyone

Recent Examples on the Web

Twenty-five states around the country have passed bans or restrictions pertaining to trans athletes in just the last few years. —Laura Schulte, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024

The trademark applications Williams and his company filed pertained to the use of the Neptunes name for streaming music, music videos, and other content, as well as live performances. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024

Listeners are encouraged to call into the show’s hotline, while Berner and Bishop dish out their best advice pertaining to all things relationships, life, social media and work. —Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024

Health care professionals and consumers can report adverse events or quality problems pertaining to these devices on the FDA’s MedWatch site. —Mira Cheng, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024

The anti-secrecy organization’s earliest files pertaining to Assange’s activities online date back 30 years. —Dell Cameron Matt Burgess, WIRED, 26 Mar. 2024

According to the person, MLB has yet to hear from any law enforcement officials pertaining to the allegations. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024

The museum is also known for its impressive collections of books pertaining to Oklahoma history. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024

Issues pertaining to fast-food workers should be hammered out in Sacramento by representatives of workers and employers with consideration for the worker protections and employer mandates already required under state law. —Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, The Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English perteinen, from Anglo-French partenir, purteiner, from Latin pertinēre to reach to, belong, from per- through + tenēre to hold — more at thin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

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Kids Definition

pertain

verb

per·​tain pər-ˈtān 

1

: to belong to a person or thing as a part, quality, or function

duties that pertain to an office

2

: to have reference

books pertaining to birds