contain

verb con·tain \ kən-ˈtān \

Updated on: 12 Apr 2018

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

McGregor, who Justin has supported in the past, has been charged with assault and criminal mischief after smashing the window of a bus containing rival UFC fighters in Brooklyn last Thursday.

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "Justin Bieber Smacks Phone Out of Fan’s Hand for Invading His Space After Soccer Game," 9 Apr. 2018
Pre$cription for Power is based on information contained in charitable giving reports from company websites and federal 990 regulatory filings.

— NBC News, "Patient advocacy groups take in millions from drugmakers. Is there a payback?," 8 Apr. 2018
The comedic classic Legally Blonde might be 17 years old, but the life lessons contained in the film live on.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, "“Legally Blonde” Helped a Fan Cope with Depression," 7 Apr. 2018
Pre$cription for Power is based on information contained in charitable giving reports from company websites and federal 990 regulatory filings.

— Washington Post, "Patient Advocacy Groups Take In Millions From Drugmakers. Is There A Payback?," 6 Apr. 2018
One of those provisions establishes binding arbitration procedures that allow private investors to pursue claims against U.S., Mexican and Canadian governments for alleged violations of investor protections contained in the agreement.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Abbott NAFTA letter," 4 Apr. 2018
That’s because tight end Eric Ebron and offensive lineman Jack Mewhort stand to significantly increase their earnings based on incentives contained in their contracts.

— stephen holder, Indianapolis Star, "Colts' Ebron, Mewhort playing for extra cash in 2018," 3 Apr. 2018
In another interesting piece of information contained in the memo, it's revealed that the FBI's counterintelligence investigation into Mr. Trump's campaign was already ongoing before the FISA warrant to investigate Page.

— blake bakkila, Health.com, "This Fitness Influencer's Underwear Trick Can Completely Change the Appearance of Your Butt," 28 Mar. 2018
The report did not specify how much medicine was contained in each plastic tote.

— erik s. hanley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Three totes full of medication stolen from a delivery van in Cudahy Kmart parking lot," 28 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

contain Synonyms

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.