pertain
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to have reference or relation; relate.
documents pertaining to the lawsuit.
-
to belong or be connected as a part, adjunct, possession, or attribute.
-
to belong properly or fittingly; be appropriate.
verb
-
to have reference, relation, or relevance
issues pertaining to women
-
to be appropriate
the product pertains to real user needs
-
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.
Yet the most haunting contested claim of Moy’s life did not pertain to music.
Some of the strategic and analytical things that pertain to matches weren’t really available.
From Los Angeles Times
Congress only recently gained access to records pertaining to the Justice Department’s Epstein investigation after lawmakers forced the files’ unredacted release late December.
From Los Angeles Times
He said that could lead to further “tailwinds pertaining to the security of AI,” although it could take time.
From MarketWatch
But the airline groups pointed to "chronic border control understaffing" as well as "unresolved technology issues" pertaining to automation.
From Barron's
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.
