contain

American  

[kuhn-teyn] / kənˈteɪn /

verb (used with object)

1. to hold or include within its volume or area.

   This glass contains water.

   This paddock contains our best horses.

2. to be capable of holding; have capacity for.

   The room will contain 75 persons safely.

3. to have as contents or constituent parts; comprise; include.

   Synonyms:

   embrace, embody

4. to keep under proper control; restrain.

   He could not contain his amusement.

5. to prevent or limit the expansion, influence, success, or advance of (a hostile nation, competitor, opposing force, natural disaster, etc.).

   to contain an epidemic.

6. to succeed in preventing the spread of.

   efforts to contain water pollution.

7. Mathematics. (of a number) to be a multiple of; be divisible by, without a remainder.

   Ten contains five.

8. to be equal to.

   A quart contains two pints.

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contain British  

/ kənˈteɪn /

verb

1. to hold or be capable of holding or including within a fixed limit or area

   this contains five pints

2. to keep (one's feelings, behaviour, etc) within bounds; restrain

3. to consist of; comprise

   the book contains three different sections

4. military to prevent (enemy forces) from operating beyond a certain level or area

5. 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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Synonym Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• containable
  adjective
• precontain
  verb (used with object)
• uncontainable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of contain

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English conte(y)nen, from Anglo-French contener, Old French contenir, from Latin continēre, equivalent to con- con- + -tinēre, verb suffix of tenēre “to hold” ( see tenet)

Explanation

The verb contain has many shades of meaning but it often describes something that's held back or held in by something. Kids on the last day of school may find it hard to contain their glee when summer officially starts. Picture Times Square on New Year's Eve. People can barely contain — or hold back — their excitement at being there. They clutch cups that contain — or hold — hot drinks that help them stay warm. The police set up barriers to contain — or restrain — the crowd to keep everyone under control. The next morning, the heaps of trash on the street will contain — or include — streamers, party hats, and cups.

Example Sentences

The eurozone’s top central banker said independence can be secured by focusing narrowly on inflation as the key objective and acting to contain price rises even when there is an economic cost to doing so.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

The war's economic toll has become harder to ignore, with analysts warning that prolonged disruption in Hormuz could keep energy prices high and make inflation harder to contain.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

Proteins are essential because they contain amino acids that animals cannot make themselves.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

Their tiny hairs contain toxins that may lead to itchy skin rashes, sore throats, breathing difficulties and eye irritation if touched or inhaled.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

I’m coming, Togbe, my soul sang as I abandoned all struggle and felt myself drift down, down, down, filled with a joy I could barely contain.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• accommodate
• consist of
• enclose
• encompass
• have
• incorporate
• involve