self-contained
Americanadjective
-
containing in oneself or itself all that is necessary; independent.
-
reserved or uncommunicative.
-
self-controlled or self-possessed.
-
(of a machine or mechanism) complete in itself.
adjective
-
containing within itself all parts necessary for completeness
-
(of a flat) having its own kitchen, bathroom, and lavatory not shared by others and usually having its own entrance
-
able or tending to keep one's feelings, thoughts, etc, to oneself; reserved
-
able to control one's feelings or emotions in the presence of others
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of self-contained
First recorded in 1585–95
Vocabulary lists containing self-contained
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.
Images of the weapons found in the house were shown to the court, including an air rifle, which was stored in a wooden box and included a self-contained gas cartridge.
From BBC • May 18, 2026
"The self-contained community survived for several thousand years, but with some kind of peaceful situation -- unlike the present day's disturbing situation, where everyone is keen to 'glorify' themselves by seeing the Sentinelese."
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
“The Devil Wears Prada” was and is the perfect example of a self-contained story, built by the studio machine but never intended to keep the apparatus running.
From Salon • May 1, 2026
The Metropolitan State Hospital opened in Norwalk in 1916, a self-contained facility complete with its own farm that treated people with mental illness.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
The universe would be completely self-contained and not affected by anything outside itself.
From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking
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.
