plural contents
1
: the things that are in something
He poured/dumped/emptied the contents of the package/box/drawer onto the floor.
The bedroom's contents have all been packed.
The brochure describes the contents of the museum.
a summary of the book's contents
Note: A table of contents is a list that is placed at the beginning of some books. It shows how the book is divided into sections and at which page each section begins.
2
: the ideas, facts, or images that are in a book, article, speech, movie, etc.
In terms of content, the article is good, but it is written poorly.
a summary of the book's content
The children aren't allowed to watch movies with violent content. [=movies in which violent things happen]
Some of the program's content may offend certain viewers.
3
: the amount of something that is in something else
This beer is low in alcohol content. [=does not have a lot of alcohol]
the fat/fiber content of food
not used before a noun
: pleased and satisfied : not needing more
The baby looks content in her crib.
A fancy hotel is not necessary; I'd be content with a warm meal and a clean place to sleep.
No, I don't want to play. I'm content to watch.
Not content to stay at home, she set off to see the world at the age of 16.
Polls show that voters are growing less and less content with the current administration.
contents; contented; contenting
formal
: to make (someone) pleased and satisfied : to make (someone) content
The toys contented the children, at least for a little while.
literary
: a feeling of being pleased and satisfied : the state of being content
He'd finished his dinner and now there was a look of perfect content [=(more commonly) contentment] on his face.
Cite this Entry
“Content.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/content. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.
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