CONTAIN Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

contain

[kuhn-teyn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to hold or include within its volume or area.
This glass contains water.
This paddock contains our best horses.
to be capable of holding; have capacity for.
The room will contain 75 persons safely.
to have as contents content or constituent parts; comprise; include.
Synonyms: ,
to keep under proper control; restrain.
He could not contain his amusement.
to prevent or limit the expansion, influence, success, or advance of (a hostile nation, competitor, opposing force, natural disaster, etc.).
to contain an epidemic.
to succeed in preventing the spread of.
efforts to contain water pollution.
Mathematics.��(of a number) to be a multiple of; be divisible by, without a remainder.
Ten contains five.
to be equal to.
A quart contains two pints.

contain

/ ��ə��ˈ�ٱ�ɪ�� /

verb

to hold or be capable of holding or including within a fixed limit or area
this contains five pints
to keep (one's feelings, behaviour, etc) within bounds; restrain
to consist of; comprise
the book contains three different sections
military to prevent (enemy forces) from operating beyond a certain level or area
maths
1. to be a multiple of, leaving no remainder
  6 contains 2 and 3
2. to have as a subset

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

containable adjective
precontain verb (used with object)
uncontainable adjective
��ǲ�ˈ�ٲ��Բ�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of contain¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English conte(y)nen, from Anglo-French contener, Old French contenir, from Latin ��ǲԳپ��ŧ��, equivalent to con- con- + -�پ��ŧ��, verb suffix of �ٱ��ŧ�� “to hold” ( tenet )

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of contain¹

C13: from Old French contenir, from Latin ��ǲԳپ��ŧ��, from com- together + �ٱ��ŧ�� to hold

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Synonym Study

Contain, accommodate, hold, express the idea that something is so designed that something else can exist or be placed within it. Contain refers to what is actually within a given container. Hold emphasizes the idea of keeping within bounds; it refers also to the greatest amount or number that can be kept within a given container. Accommodate means to contain comfortably or conveniently, or to meet the needs of a certain number. A passenger plane that accommodates 50 passengers may be able to hold 60, but at a given time may contain only 30.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Authorities said they recovered a target list from a vehicle used by the suspect that reportedly contained the names of several Democratic politicians who supported abortion rights, as well as abortion providers.

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The wide-scale arrests and detainments — often in the region’s largely Latino neighborhoods — contain hallmarks of racial profiling and other due process violations.

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If that doesn't work, the next goal is about managing and containing them, preventing further spread, and supporting native species by managing green spaces and natural habitats within the urban environment.

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The import or export of cat and dog fur, and products containing their fur, is banned.

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However, Mr Grossi said there is "no indication of a physical attack on the underground cascade hall containing part of the pilot fuel enrichment plant and the main fuel enrichment plant".

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Related 51�Թ�s

accommodate��
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enclose��
encompass��
have��
incorporate��
involve��

contagium contained

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