pertain

American  

[per-teyn] / pərˈteɪn /

verb (used without object)

• pertains,
  present (3rd person singular)
• pertained,
  past participle,  past
• pertaining
  present participle

1. to have reference or relation; relate.

   documents pertaining to the lawsuit.

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

3. to belong properly or fittingly; be appropriate.

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pertain British  

/ pəˈteɪn /

verb

1. to have reference, relation, or relevance

   issues pertaining to women

2. to be appropriate

   the product pertains to real user needs

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

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

• pertaining
  present
• pertained
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• pertain
  simple
• pertains
  simple
• have pertained
  perfect
• has pertained
  perfect
• am pertaining
  progressive
• are pertaining
  progressive
• is pertaining
  progressive
• have been pertaining
  perfect progressive
• has been pertaining
  perfect progressive

Past

• pertained
  simple
• had pertained
  perfect
• was pertaining
  progressive
• were pertaining
  progressive
• had been pertaining
  perfect progressive

Future

• will pertain
  simple
• will have pertained
  perfect
• will be pertaining
  progressive
• will have been pertaining
  perfect progressive

Etymology

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”

Explanation

To pertain is to be relevant or somehow associated with something. If you're a lawyer, you try to find evidence that will pertain to the case and eliminate anything that is not connected. Behind the verb pertain lies the Latin verb pertinēre, which means "to be applicable" or "to hold through." If you think the rules of the road don't pertain to you, try explaining that to the state trooper when you get pulled over. Usage note: The word pertain often takes an s at the end, as in "That pertains to this matter," but loses it with a helper: “That doesn’t pertain to it.”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pertain pertains pertained pertaining

The proposed changes pertain to a 2023 rule designed to tamp down NOx -- shorthand for nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide -- from truck tailpipes, beginning with model year 2027.

From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026

All of these estate-planning documents pertain to adults over the age of 18, so Trust & Will’s survey starts with Generation Z, whose members are now between the ages of 16 and 29.

From MarketWatch ● Apr. 14, 2026

Budget reconciliation is governed by strict rules, enforced by a strict parliamentarian, requiring that reconciliation items pertain to taxes and spending.

From Slate ● Mar. 24, 2026

Yet the most haunting contested claim of Moy’s life did not pertain to music.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 19, 2026

“Katherine, this doesn’t really pertain to you,” Dad said.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

The umpiring ranks are about to get younger—and, as far as it pertains to ABS, more accurate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

An aspect that’s similar between Bertei’s accounts and Andy Beta’s storytelling about Alice Coltrane is that Bertei is unflinchingly honest but does not offer judgment unless it pertains to herself.

From Salon ● Apr. 14, 2026

This pertains mostly to business owners, but it also could apply to homeowners or to freelancers who use a car or other equipment.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 23, 2026

“Arco” defies dismissing, however, especially as it pertains to what lies in store for humanity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 23, 2026

I studied the floor and mumbled, “The analysis of how something about the census something interacts with the something and pertains to something.”

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen

“This does not seem to be consistent with some of the stated aims of the RBA review as it pertained to transparency around decision making.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

Every other question during the 45 minutes the agent stood onstage pertained to the hiring process or what we could expect in training.

From Slate ● Jan. 13, 2026

Most of these concerns pertained to last year, too, yet the market rose.

From Barron's ● Jan. 9, 2026

Now, 11 days after the attack, it has conceded that some data has been impacted but declined to say exactly who the information pertained to, such as customers, suppliers or JLR itself.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2025

Her mom had a lot of rules, but most of them pertained to study habits.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

She asked to receive copies of communications between reporters and university employees pertaining to herself and to Belichick.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

The agency "does not divulge protected, sensitive, or classified information pertaining to the termination of legal status of foreign nationals", state department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

Pitt’s legal team previously attempted to depose Stoli executive Alexey Oliynik in 2025, claiming that he had relevant information pertaining to the Jolie deal.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026

"Kenyans had no knowledge of the state of affairs pertaining the preliminary agreement."

From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026

I think about how eager Parker was all day, hoping I’d come through for him so he could talk to Jillian about things not pertaining to a food order.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• apply
• refer
• relate