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

Fire officials say containment was their top priority, given how easily sparks could have jumped to additional houses. —Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2025

Currently, there is no information on the containment of the fire and the cause of it has yet to be determined. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 30 Nov. 2025

The Secretariat of Citizen Security noted Mexico City Police only carried out containment work and did not repress protesters or respond to the provocations. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025

Edge containment: There weren’t many issues with the Patriots on Thursday night, but their defense was letting Fields get by them on the edge with regularity on his way to an 11-carry, 67-yard, TD performance. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 Nov. 2025

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