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

Crews were working on strengthening containment lines and at least one helicopter remained to support firefighters with water drops. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 July 2026

Winds can cause embers to move past containment lines and ignite new areas. — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 13 July 2026

The Gold Mountain fire had consumed 35,601 acres with 5% containment as of Sunday morning, fire officials said. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 12 July 2026

With the eyes of the world on the pitch, footie fanfiction has finally broken containment, spilling over from its usual platforms. — Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 11 July 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