contain

verb

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con·tain | \ kən-ˈtān

contained; containing; contains

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

2a : to have within : hold The box contains old letters.

b : comprise, include The bill contains several new clauses.

3a : to be divisible by usually without a remainder

b : enclose, bound

intransitive verb

: to restrain oneself

Other Words from contain Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about contain

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Synonyms for contain

Synonyms

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web Backlash has been primarily focused on the president's efforts to contain a record surge of unaccompanied migrant children as experts estimate 117,000 solo minors will make their way into the country by the conclusion of the year. — Jake Dima, Washington Examiner, "Border Patrol video shows smugglers drop two young girls over 14-foot barrier," 1 Apr. 2021 Efforts to contain the Japanese beetle could save the state millions of dollars. — Karina Andrew, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah moves against invasive insect population," 31 Mar. 2021 The Secretary of State’s conclusions are a striking repudiation of health officials’ efforts to contain outbreaks in March and April of last year. — oregonlive, "Oregon could have prevented some coronavirus deaths in senior care, auditors say," 24 Mar. 2021 The Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia and other countries in the region lifted pandemic restrictions last summer after successful initial efforts to contain the virus. — New York Times, "20,000 White Crosses: Marking Covid’s Toll in Central and Eastern Europe," 23 Mar. 2021 And as Americans look back, a majority see the nation's efforts to contain the coronavirus as largely unsuccessful. — Fred Backus, CBS News, "After year of pandemic, Americans see changed lives and disparate impact — CBS News poll," 14 Mar. 2021 Garrett Webb, representing the Missouri chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told members of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee the bill would hamper efforts to contain deadly diseases. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "Relaxing restrictions, Food Night, mass vaccine sites: News from around our 50 states," 11 Mar. 2021 For now, Brazil's failure to contain the virus is increasingly a cautionary tale for the world. — Flora Charner And Marcia Reverdosa, CNN, "Brazil plunges into crisis as a second wave and deadly new variant overwhelm hospitals," 10 Mar. 2021 Although domestic economic imbalances and U.S. efforts to contain China remain serious risks, overall, there are more opportunities than challenges, said Mr. Chen, who urged officials to unite their thoughts and actions around Mr. Xi’s leadership. — Chun Han Wong, WSJ, "China Plays Up Ascendancy Over West as It Sets Economic Path," 4 Mar. 2021

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.

History and Etymology for contain

Middle English conteynen, borrowed from Anglo-French cunteign-, cunteyn-, present tense stem of contenir, cuntenir, going back (with conjugation change) to Latin continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents," from con- con- + tenēre "to hold, occupy, possess" — more at tenant entry 1

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