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 Words From

• compre·hender noun
• compre·hending·ly adverb
• noncom·pre·hending adjective
• noncom·pre·hending·ly adverb
• precom·pre·hend verb (used with object)
• self-compre·hending adjective
• uncom·pre·hended adjective
• uncom·pre·hending adjective
• uncom·pre·hending·ly adverb
• well-com·pre·hended 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

"For two quiet families from country Victoria it has always been impossible to comprehend the needless and violent manner in which Suzanne and Susan died," the statement read.

From BBC

But trying to comprehend them and gain new insights about ourselves requires going where they walk, and seeing what they see.

From BBC

The family of four stood in the middle of the street in front of the pile of twisted metal and broken concrete, struggling to comprehend the devastation they were seeing.

From BBC

"The biggest thing mainstream analysis refuses to comprehend is the continued power of a politics of racial grievance and religious nostalgia among white Christian Americans."

From Salon

The biggest thing mainstream analysis refuses to comprehend is the continued power of a politics of racial grievance and religious nostalgia among white Christian Americans.

From Salon

Related Words

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