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

If any of the patients do start to exhibit symptoms, the center has a host of medical workers ready as well as a bio-containment unit where patients with Covid and Ebola have previously been held. —Vasco Cotovio, CNN Money, 10 May 2026

Cost-containment measures, like consolidating software licenses and reusing expensive sets rather than continually tearing them down, were put in place. —Sean Gregory, Time, 6 May 2026

Meink about the status of the containment efforts, the current systems used to detect fuel leaks, and measures to prevent future incidents. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 6 May 2026

Saudi Arabia and the UAE increasingly viewed Iran as a direct strategic threat requiring containment. —Firmesk Rahim, The Conversation, 4 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