pertain

[ per-teyn ]

/ pərˈteɪn /

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See synonyms for: pertain / pertaining / pertains on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to have reference or relation; relate: documents pertaining to the lawsuit.

to belong or be connected as a part, adjunct, possession, or attribute.

to belong properly or fittingly; be appropriate.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of pertain

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pertenen, partenen, perteinen, from Middle French partein-, stem of partenir, from Latin pertinēre “to be applicable,” literally, “to hold through, reach,” equivalent to per- per- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre “to hold”

Words nearby pertain

persuasive, persulfate, persulfuric acid, persulphuric acid, pert, pertain, pertaining, pertains, Perth, Perth Amboy, Perth and Kinross

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pertain in a sentence

This has led to an increase in mass arrests of LGBTQ individuals, with 44 people being arrested as recently as June, and consequently being charged with breaching pandemic restrictions as they pertain to the sizes of public gatherings.
Uganda president declines to sign queerphobic bill|Tinashe Chingarande|August 18, 2021|Washington Blade
Its original focus on issues pertaining specifically to women has expanded to broader topics concerning gender, sexual identity, race and economic class.
Media Briefing: Following Google’s cookie-killing extension, publishers focus on confronting Apple’s Safari problem|Tim Peterson|August 12, 2021|Digiday
As a former San Diego city councilman, Alvarez said he’s been in plenty of closed-session meetings to discuss confidential information, which usually pertains to possible litigation.
Water Authority’s Confidential Consultant Contracts Surprised Board|MacKenzie Elmer|August 4, 2021|Voice of San Diego
Focused more on music than getting into trouble, she’s also going through a process of self-discovery as it pertains to her sexuality.
Hailey Gilgore Season Is Here|Brande Victorian|July 23, 2021|Essence.com

As it pertains to restaurants, city officials seemed to hedge when speaking with the Inquirer about how the new guidance might impact restaurant dining.
Philly Officials Now ‘Strongly Recommend’ Even Fully Vaccinated People Wear Masks Indoors|Dayna Evans|July 22, 2021|Eater
But today, a majority of Human Rights Council members voted that they may pertain to groups as well—specifically, to families.
At the United Nations, It’s Human Rights, Putin-Style|Jay Michaelson|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The requested documents pertain to the store's policies on shoplifting prevention and detaining individuals suspected of theft.
Skype Announces 'Collaboration Project'; Macy’s and Bloomingdale's Face Racial Profiling Investigations|The Fashion Beast Team|December 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In shows that pertain to the criminal-justice system, particularly those held behind bars, black people are suddenly “must haves.”
I Don’t Watch ‘Orange Is the New Black’|Allison Samuels|August 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Etiquette Scholar also has some clever tips that pertain directly to business lunches.
Romney and Obama’s First Lunch: A Social Etiquette Guide|Kevin Fallon|November 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
They pertain to an intermediate plane, and their purpose is to conceal or justify sordid or atrocious realities.
What Karl Rove Learned From Jorge Luis Borges|Alec Nevala-Lee|November 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Besides, that inspection did not pertain to me, since I was neither the oldest nor the most recent auditor.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
You and all that pertain to you are my slaves, and are bound to do my bidding without a murmur.
Xerxes|Jacob Abbott
Is it not evident that the thought of death in that case must borrow blackness and mystery of a kind that does not pertain to it?
Beyond|Henry Seward Hubbard
But the creator is neither substance nor accident (attribute), hence plurality cannot pertain to him.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik
Hillel answers this objection by saying that these emotions do not pertain to the soul as such.
A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy|Isaac Husik

British Dictionary definitions for pertain

pertain

/ (pəˈteɪn) /

verb (intr often foll by to)

to have reference, relation, or relevanceissues pertaining to women

to be appropriatethe product pertains to real user needs

to belong (to) or be a part (of); be an adjunct, attribute, or accessory (of)

Word Origin for pertain

C14: from Latin pertinēre, from per- (intensive) + tenēre to hold

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pertain

Origin of pertain

Words nearby pertain

Words related to pertain

How to use pertain in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pertain

Word Origin for pertain