contain

verb con·tain \ kən-ˈtān \

Definition of contain

transitive verb

1 :to keep within limits: such as

a :restrain, control

could hardly contain her enthusiasm

b :check, halt

contain the spread of a deadly disease

Firefighters contained the wildfire.

c :to follow successfully a policy of containment toward

efforts to contain Communism

d :to prevent (an enemy or opponent) from advancing or from making a successful attack

2 a :to have within :hold

The box contains old letters.

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

—

containable

play \kən-ˈtā-nə-bəl\ adjective

See contain defined for English-language learners

See contain defined for kids

Examples of contain in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of contain from the Web

And because fish farms throughout the tropics are feeding chow that contains MT to their tilapia, the hormone may be causing problems elsewhere.

— mitch leslie, Science | AAAS, "Something is changing the sex of Costa Rican crocodiles," 30 Aug. 2017
On Tuesday, a Heflin officer pulled over a vehicle containing four occupants for speeding on Alabama Highway 9 at the intersection of New Harmony Road.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "Pennsylvania homicide suspect arrested during Cleburne County traffic stop," 29 Aug. 2017
On May 5, 2016, the vessel’s owner reported to St. Maarten police the theft of several tubes containing silver and gold coins that were located on board.

— by david goodhue, miamiherald, "His wife is missing, and now he’s in trouble over missing coins," 29 Aug. 2017
This story contains spoilers through all eight episodes of The Defenders.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Defenders Proves Heroes Aren't Enough," 24 Aug. 2017
The first firefighters to arrive rescued several occupants and struggled to contain the blaze as more units were requested.

— mike hendricks and matt campbell, kansascity, "Feds say mistakes contributed to the deaths of two Kansas City firefighters," 24 Aug. 2017
HBO This post contains spoilers through Game of Thrones Season 7, episode 5.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "All the Fan Theories About 'Game of Thrones' Season 7, Episode 6 Ranked from Least to Most Likely to Come True," 19 Aug. 2017
The vial containing the chemical agent was recovered and secured, Taylor said.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "APG holds active shooter drill, hosts mock media conference afterward," 17 Aug. 2017
Today, the Abayudaya community contains about 2,000 members in several villages.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Ugandan Jew tells about his hard-hit community," 17 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology 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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

contain Synonyms

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

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

CONTAIN Defined for English Language Learners

contain

verb

Definition of contain for English Language Learners

: to have (something) inside
: to have or include (something)
: to keep (something) from spreading : to keep (something) within limits

CONTAIN Defined for Kids

contain

verb con·tain \ kən-ˈtān \

Definition of contain for Students

contained; containing

1 :to have within :hold

The box contained some old books.

2 :to consist of or include

The building contains classrooms.

3 :to keep within limits :restrain, check

The fire was contained.

I tried to contain my anger.

Word Root of contain

The Latin words tenēre, meaning “to hold,” gives us the roots ten and tain. Words from the Latin tenēre have something to do with holding. Something tenacious holds on and is not easily gotten rid of. To contain is to hold things together inside. To obtain is to get hold of. To retain is to continue to hold.