include
Americanverb (used with object)
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to contain, as a whole does parts or any part or element.
The so-called “complete breakfast” in this ad included juice, milk, cereal, toast, eggs, and bacon.
The anniversary edition of the game will include the expansion packs and DLC.
- Synonyms:
- embody
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to place in an aggregate, class, category, or the like: Hawks and eagles are included in the family “Accipitridae.”
Please include me in any future discussions.
Hawks and eagles are included in the family “Accipitridae.”
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to contain as a subordinate element; involve as a factor: Schooling should include friendship, fun, and laughter, in addition to rigorous study.
Our comprehensive approach to health includes such aspects as resilience, resources, and quality of life.
Schooling should include friendship, fun, and laughter, in addition to rigorous study.
verb
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to have as contents or part of the contents; be made up of or contain
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to add as part of something else; put in as part of a set, group, or category
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to contain as a secondary or minor ingredient or element
Synonym Usage
Include, comprehend, comprise, embrace imply containing parts of a whole. To include is to contain as a part or member, or among the parts and members, of a whole: The list includes many new names. To comprehend is to have within the limits, scope, or range of references, as either a part or the whole number of items concerned: The plan comprehends several projects. To comprise is to consist of, as the various parts serving to make up the whole: This genus comprises 50 species. Embrace emphasizes the extent or assortment of that which is included: The report embraces a great variety of subjects.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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includesimple
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includessimple
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have includedperfect
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has includedperfect
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are includingprogressive
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am includingprogressive
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is includingprogressive
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have been includingperfect progressive
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has been includingperfect progressive
Past
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includedsimple
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had includedperfect
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was includingprogressive
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were includingprogressive
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had been includingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of include
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin inclūdere “to shut in,” equivalent to in- in- 2 + -clūdere, combining form of claudere “to shut”; cf. close
Explanation
The verb include means to consider as a part of something. A list of your favorite things may include chocolate and friends. The verb include also means adding something (or someone) to a category or group. Once you try bungee jumping, you might want to include, or add, that to your list of favorite things. You may be forced to include your little sister in your party if your parents insist.
Vocabulary lists containing include
PARCC: Language of the Test (Grade7)
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 4
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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.
Existing battery assembly lines include football-field-long ovens for drying layers of material that have been dissolved in solvents.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026
Symptoms include a rash, which can appear three to five days after onset of illness, cough, runny nose and red and watery eyes, as well as a fever that can be higher than 101 degrees.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026
He said the investors are passive limited partners: “Aside from fund financials that include quarterly valuations, Tomales Bay’s investors have not received any further information regarding SpaceX.”
From Salon • Jun. 19, 2026
To impact development on the pitch, their recruitment plans include attempts to bring in several big names as well as a healthy blend of youthful talent.
From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026
These include the earliest dated set of European navigation instruments found thus far: compasses, protractors, calipers, sounding leads, tide calculators, and a device for calculating speed called a log reel.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
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.
