pertain
Americanverb (used without object)
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to have reference or relation; relate.
documents pertaining to the lawsuit.
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to belong or be connected as a part, adjunct, possession, or attribute.
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to belong properly or fittingly; be appropriate.
verb
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to have reference, relation, or relevance
issues pertaining to women
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to be appropriate
the product pertains to real user needs
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to belong (to) or be a part (of); be an adjunct, attribute, or accessory (of)
Etymology
Origin of pertain
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pertenen, partenen, perteinen, from Middle French partein-, stem of partenir, from Latin pertinēre “to be applicable,” literally, “to hold through, reach,” equivalent to per- per- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“A technicality. It pertains to both of us. Look inside.”
From Literature
The Senate Agriculture Committee, which is overseeing the portions of the legislation pertaining to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, advanced its version on Thursday.
“Arco” defies dismissing, however, especially as it pertains to what lies in store for humanity.
From Los Angeles Times
“Additional discussions are being held concerning The Golden Dome as it pertains to Greenland.”
From Barron's
The West Wing actor's defence team submitted more than 70 letters from people vouching for his character and said that he underwent and passed a polygraph test pertaining to the allegations against him.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
