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

There is currently no information on the containment of the fire and its cause has not yet been determined. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Dec. 2025

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

Japanese proliferation will go a long way toward achieving the United States’ main goal in East Asia, namely, the containment of China through strong local alliances. —Moritz S. Graefrath, Foreign Affairs, 19 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

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