containment

noun

con·​tain·​ment kən-ˈtān-mənt 

1

: the act, process, or means of keeping something within limits

the containment of health costs

2

: the policy, process, or result of preventing the expansion of a hostile power or ideology

Examples of containment in a Sentence

The company's hazardous waste containment plan is being reviewed.

The government needs to adopt a containment strategy.

Recent Examples on the Web

The lower operating pressure reduces mechanical stress and minimizes the risk of containment failure, which enhances the safety profile of the system compared to conventional light-water reactors. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 May 2026

The biggest fire so far, the Stewart Trail Fire, is over 370 acres with 0% containment as of Saturday afternoon. —Cole Premo, CBS News, 16 May 2026

Public health is interconnected and imported cases can reach anywhere in the globe, including the United States, if proper containment policies and protocols are not implemented effectively. —Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

The failures at every stage of the disaster response, from before the first spark to long after containment. —Literary Hub, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

contain + -ment

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for containment

• arraignment
• attainment
• entrainment
• sustainment
• ascertainment
• entertainment