contain
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to hold or include within its volume or area.
This glass contains water.
This paddock contains our best horses.
-
to be capable of holding; have capacity for.
The room will contain 75 persons safely.
-
to have as contents or constituent parts; comprise; include.
-
to keep under proper control; restrain.
He could not contain his amusement.
-
to prevent or limit the expansion, influence, success, or advance of (a hostile nation, competitor, opposing force, natural disaster, etc.).
to contain an epidemic.
-
to succeed in preventing the spread of.
efforts to contain water pollution.
-
Mathematics. (of a number) to be a multiple of; be divisible by, without a remainder.
Ten contains five.
-
to be equal to.
A quart contains two pints.
verb
-
to hold or be capable of holding or including within a fixed limit or area
this contains five pints
-
to keep (one's feelings, behaviour, etc) within bounds; restrain
-
to consist of; comprise
the book contains three different sections
-
military to prevent (enemy forces) from operating beyond a certain level or area
-
maths
-
to be a multiple of, leaving no remainder
6 contains 2 and 3
-
to have as a subset
-
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
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have containedperfect
-
has containedperfect 3rd person singular
-
is containingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
am containingprogressive 1st person singular
-
containingparticiple
-
containssingular 3rd person
-
are containingprogressive
-
have been containingperfect progressive
-
has been containingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
Past
-
had containedperfect
-
had been containingperfect progressive
-
containedsimple
-
was containingprogressive singular
-
containedparticiple
-
were containingprogressive plural
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing contain
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 4
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade 11)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
This Music May Contain Hope fuses old-school jazz with an orchestra, blues, big band and soul, reflecting what Raye told the BBC last year.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
Appeared in the March 5, 2026, print edition as 'An Urgent Need to Contain Turkey'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026
I love that recent song of his, “I Contain Multitudes.”
From Salon • Dec. 25, 2024
How Bills can win: Contain Raheem Mostert and Miami’s ground game, and put this outcome on the shoulders of whoever’s at quarterback.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2023
Contain your aggression to staring into its eyes and hurling toots and taunts.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
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.
