pertain

verb

pər-ˈtān How to pronounce pertain (audio)
Definition of pertainnext
1
as in to belong
to be the property of a person or group of persons the belief that quality medical care is a right that pertains to everyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to relate
to have a relation or connection a person who is an expert in anything pertaining to the history of the American theater

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pertain And these are just the concerns that pertain directly to musicians. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 20 July 2026 Providers might not always be receptive to disclosures that pertain to these issues. — Peter Garraghan, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Research suggests these different uses relate to development in different ways and can help kids develop varying skill sets pertaining to everyday life and schooling. — Gabriel E. Hales, The Conversation, 17 July 2026 This would only pertain to certain private schools that have received federal dollars. — Mollie Simon, ProPublica, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertain
  1. belong
  2. relate
  3. apply
  4. refer
Verb
  • Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick Lancôme's L'Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick belongs in the skin-care aisle as much as the makeup one.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 July 2026
  • Subsidies received and philanthropic capital deployed belong in the same document on the same cadence, so the full civic ledger is visible.
    — Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of belong
Verb
  • The company beat on the top line but missed Wall Street’s earnings forecast on the legal and severance-related charges.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 29 July 2026
  • Not held separately, not synced on a schedule, but modeled so the system understands how records relate rather than just storing them.
    — Patrick O'Connor, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • During the LolaVie styling session, Aniston also praised Cox’s hair while applying the brand’s Glossing Detangler.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
  • However, If a governor is elected for a term of fewer than three years, that term will not apply against governor term limits.
    — Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 29 July 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • According to Stand Up Placer, when a forensic examiner confirms evidence of strangulation, the case is referred directly to the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, reducing the burden on survivors to initiate criminal charges themselves.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
  • Membership is strictly invitation-only; prospective members must be referred, vetted and approved by the club's owners before paying the $500,000 initial fee plus annual dues.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Definition of refer

Phrases Containing pertain

Browse Nearby Words

pert
pertain
pertained
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Pertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pertain. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on pertain

Nglish: Translation of pertain for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All