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 Around 21,000 records pertain to CBP employees, and nearly 7,000 belong to staff at ICE. — Emma Roth, The Verge, 28 Oct. 2026 Though the complaint alleged that Full Sail University was part of the fraud, the judge found that the claimants had failed to offer any details pertaining to that school. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026 While that news pertains to an individual’s potential tax bill, Meta’s quarterly report shows just how low the company’s tax bill might be. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 As the noise around college football continues to get louder pertaining to what is transpiring at Texas right now for Steve Sarkisian. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pertain
  1. belong
  2. relate
  3. apply
  4. refer
Verb
  • Cargo Pants Cargo pants are having a moment, and Oprah Winfrey is proof that the utilitarian style belongs in your fall wardrobe.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • That is a statement from every level of government in Central Florida that this museum belongs here.
    — Linda Chapin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of belong
Verb
  • The researchers point out that the mat was dominated by compounds derived from photosynthetic pigments, while the extract’s porphyrins were overwhelmingly heme-related.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Flagstaff police said that a second man, whose identity hasn’t been released, also was found dead Monday in a drainage area, and that the death appeared to be weather-related, pending an official determination of cause and manner of death.
    — Christopher Weber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of relate
Verb
  • The researchers said their approach could also be applied to other quantum materials, allowing scientists to investigate electronic behavior that has previously been difficult to observe directly.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The act applies to event tickets for public concerts, theater shows, sporting events and similar activities at venues with a capacity of over 200 seats.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of apply
Verb
  • The White House, when asked for comment, referred CNBC to the Republican National Committee, which did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Vermilion Parish Policy Jury President Chad Vallo referred comments to the police jury’s attorney who did not respond in time for publication.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 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 3 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of candidate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
couple-laugh-cafe
Quiz: Foreign Phrases You Should Know Check out your bona fides and avoid any faux pas.
See All