content
1 Americannoun
-
Usually contents.
-
something that is contained.
the contents of a box.
-
the subjects or topics covered in a book or document.
-
the chapters or other formal divisions of a book or document.
a table of contents.
-
-
something that is to be expressed through some medium, as speech, writing, or any of various arts.
a poetic form adequate to a poetic content.
-
significance or profundity; meaning.
a clever play that lacks content.
-
substantive information or creative material viewed in contrast to its actual or potential manner of presentation.
publishers, record companies, and other content providers; a flashy website, but without much content.
-
that which may be perceived in something.
the latent versus the manifest content of a dream.
-
Philosophy, Logic. the sum of the attributes or notions comprised in a given conception; the substance or matter of cognition.
-
power of containing; holding capacity.
The bowl's content is three quarts.
-
volume, area, or extent; size.
-
the amount contained.
-
Linguistics. the system of meanings or semantic values specific to a language (opposed to expression).
-
-
Mathematics. the greatest common divisor of all the coefficients of a given polynomial.
-
any abstraction of the concept of length, area, or volume.
-
adjective
-
satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.
-
British. agreeing; assenting.
-
Archaic. willing.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
the state or feeling of being contented; satisfaction; contentment.
His content was threatened.
-
(in the British House of Lords) an affirmative vote or voter.
noun
-
(often plural) everything that is inside a container
the contents of a box
-
(usually plural)
-
the chapters or divisions of a book
-
a list, printed at the front of a book, of chapters or divisions together with the number of the first page of each
-
-
the meaning or significance of a poem, painting, or other work of art, as distinguished from its style or form
-
all that is contained or dealt with in a discussion, piece of writing, etc; substance
-
the capacity or size of a thing
-
the proportion of a substance contained in an alloy, mixture, etc
the lead content of petrol
adjective
-
mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are
-
assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc
verb
noun
interjection
Synonym Usage
See satisfy.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
contentsimple
-
contentssimple
-
have contentedperfect
-
has contentedperfect
-
am contentingprogressive
-
are contentingprogressive
-
is contentingprogressive
-
have been contentingperfect progressive
-
has been contentingperfect progressive
Past
-
contentedsimple
-
had contentedperfect
-
was contentingprogressive
-
were contentingprogressive
-
had been contentingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of content1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (from Anglo-French ), from Medieval Latin contentum, noun use of neuter of Latin contentus (past participle of continēre “to contain”), equivalent to con- “with, together” + ten- “hold” + -tus past participle suffix; see con-
Origin of content2
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin contentus “satisfied,” special use of past participle of continēre; see content 1
Explanation
If you feel content, you're satisfied and happy. The content of a book, movie, or song is what it's about: the topic. This word has two main meanings. The first has to do with being pleased and satisfied (feeling content) or making someone else feel happy and at peace with things (contenting them). The other meaning has to do with subject matter: the content of a history class might be American history. The content of a math class might be geometry. As long as there's a topic or subject, there's content.
Vocabulary lists containing content
Unit 1: Telling Details
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!
"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act I
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!
Unit 1: Telling Details
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.
See Examples For:
Australian creative content was not "up for grabs", and the new laws will provide "the strongest possible protection for Australian artists and Australian media", Albanese said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 15, 2026
AI allows Simhony to quickly create a range of characters and content for clients such as Korean cosmetics brand Jumiso as well as startups promoting the same kinds of AI tools she uses, she said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
Since its expansion into original content, Netflix has made it clear that its sole priority is Netflix, not its customers, and certainly not art.
From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026
Some analysts are concerned about disruptions from AI-generated content, even though consumers remain suspicious of it.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
But the scientists weren’t content with just one conclusion; they were using every tool within reach to try to figure out what the mountain was up to.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
The freezer aisle, from whence many of its contents originate, does not do much to help the case.
From Salon ● Jul. 11, 2026
Hundreds of "residual" contents - unwanted by both Carr and the former owners - were sold at auction on Sunday.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
The contents of the Washington one are not widely known but the capsule due to be buried in Philadelphia near Independence Hall has spilled all its secrets.
From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026
Selections are described in the table of contents; footnotes running through the text would have been more convenient.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
Then he pointed directly down into the coffin and its contents.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Many fans have blamed her relationship with Kelce, suggesting that the couple’s contented monogamy means Swift has lost her edge as the queen of heartbreak songs.
From Salon ● Jul. 8, 2026
“Wi$h Li$t,” a wistful song that hits like a contented sigh, imagines a simple life of domesticity in a suburban house with a basketball hoop, children and peace.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2025
My creativity is thriving, my friendships are richer than ever, I’ve been traveling more, and showing up in the world as a whole and contented person.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2025
He’s the contented “Innie” to the miserable “Outie” version of himself, the one so paralyzed by his wife’s death that he chose to surgically divorce his work life from the mess of his personal time.
From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2025
There was a contented, faraway expression on his face.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
Verstappen has reeled off four consecutive podium finishes and won three of the last four Austin races, only missing out last year when Ferrari claimed a one-two, contenting himself instead with a sprint race win.
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2025
By 2020, Zawahiri had become increasingly distant, contenting himself to write books and essays and only rarely appearing on video.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 1, 2022
He’s been playing it safe in Brooklyn, contenting himself with his Ma, his girlfriend and a modest managerial job at Starbucks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 29, 2020
He ate “selectively and moderately at the Kremlin dinner” and “also stayed off the vodka contenting himself with some large gulps of red wine,” according to the note.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 17, 2019
For some time Amadis led a life of ease, hunting and feasting, and contenting himself with such news of his lady as he could obtain.
From Legends & Romances of Spain by Spence, Lewis
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.
