comprehend

[kom-pri-hend]

verb (used with object)

1. to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive.

   He did not comprehend the significance of the ambassador's remark.

2. to take in or embrace; include; comprise.

   The course will comprehend all facets of Japanese culture.

comprehend

/ ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd /

verb

1. to perceive or understand

2. (tr) to comprise or embrace; include

Other Word Forms

• comprehender noun
• comprehendingly adverb
• noncomprehending adjective
• noncomprehendingly adverb
• precomprehend verb (used with object)
• self-comprehending adjective
• uncomprehended adjective
• uncomprehending adjective
• uncomprehendingly adverb
• well-comprehended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprehend¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English comprehenden, from Latin comprehendere, from com- com- + prehendere “to seize” ( prehension )

Word History and Origins

Origin of comprehend¹

C14: from Latin comprehendere, from prehendere to seize

Synonym Study

See include.

Example Sentences

The resulting data will certainly be of value for comprehending and conserving modern-day biodiversity.

Read more on Science Daily

“It’s a partner and a tool for helping advance your ability to comprehend things and think critically through a complex problem.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I just don’t think the human brain can comprehend what he does and how difficult it is and how he is elite at both,” Friedman said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Many white people, even the most well-meaning, cannot fully comprehend that.

Read more on Salon

She said she still cannot comprehend why it took so long to find out what had been causing her pelvic pain.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• appreciate 
• assimilate 
• discern 
• envision 
• fathom 
• grasp 

When To Use

What are other ways to say comprehend?

To comprehend something is to grasp it with the mind. How is comprehend different from know and understand? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.