pertain

[ per-teyn ]

verb (used without object)

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.

pertain

/ 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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pertain¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pertain¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

From Washington Blade

Its original focus on issues pertaining specifically to women has expanded to broader topics concerning gender, sexual identity, race and economic class.

From 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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Eater

But today, a majority of Human Rights Council members voted that they may pertain to groups as well—specifically, to families.

From The Daily Beast

The requested documents  pertain to the store's policies on shoplifting prevention and detaining individuals suspected of theft.

From The Daily Beast

In shows that pertain to the criminal-justice system, particularly those held behind bars, black people are suddenly “must haves.”

From The Daily Beast

Etiquette Scholar also has some clever tips that pertain directly to business lunches.

From The Daily Beast

They pertain to an intermediate plane, and their purpose is to conceal or justify sordid or atrocious realities.

From The Daily Beast

Besides, that inspection did not pertain to me, since I was neither the oldest nor the most recent auditor.

From Project Gutenberg

You and all that pertain to you are my slaves, and are bound to do my bidding without a murmur.

From Project Gutenberg

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?

From Project Gutenberg

But the creator is neither substance nor accident (attribute), hence plurality cannot pertain to him.

From Project Gutenberg

Hillel answers this objection by saying that these emotions do not pertain to the soul as such.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apply
• refer
• relate