contain
Use Contain in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to hold or include within its volume or area: This glass contains water. This paddock contains our best horses.
2.
to be capable of holding; have capacity for: The room will contain 75 persons safely.
3.
to have as contents or constituent parts; comprise; include.
4.
to keep under proper control; restrain: He could not contain his amusement.
5.
to prevent or limit the expansion, influence, success, or advance of (a hostile nation, competitor, opposing force, natural disaster, etc.): to contain an epidemic.
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English conte(y)nen < Anglo-French contener, Old French contenir < Latin continēre, equivalent to con- con- + tenēre to hold (see tenet)
1250–1300; Middle English conte(y)nen < Anglo-French contener, Old French contenir < Latin continēre, equivalent to con- con- + tenēre to hold (see tenet)
Related forms
con·tain·a·ble, adjective
pre·con·tain, verb (used with object)
un·con·tain·a·ble, adjective
Synonyms
1. Contain, accommodate, hold express the idea that something is so designed that something else can exist or be placed within it. Contain refers to what is actually within a given container. Hold emphasizes the idea of keeping within bounds; it refers also to the greatest amount or number that can be kept within a given container. Accommodate means to contain comfortably or conveniently, or to meet the needs of a certain number. A passenger plane that accommodates 50 passengers may be able to hold 60, but at a given time may contain only 30. 3. embody, embrace.
1. Contain, accommodate, hold express the idea that something is so designed that something else can exist or be placed within it. Contain refers to what is actually within a given container. Hold emphasizes the idea of keeping within bounds; it refers also to the greatest amount or number that can be kept within a given container. Accommodate means to contain comfortably or conveniently, or to meet the needs of a certain number. A passenger plane that accommodates 50 passengers may be able to hold 60, but at a given time may contain only 30. 3. embody, embrace.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To Contain
00:10
Contain
is always a great word to know.
So is inverse. Does it mean:
| pertaining to the mathematical prerequisites for the study of calculus, as algebra, analytical geometry, and trigonometry |
| a proportion containing terms of which an increase in one results in a decrease in another |
Collins
World English Dictionary
contain (kənˈteɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to hold or be capable of holding or including within a fixed limit or area: this contains five pints |
| 2. | to keep (one's feelings, behaviour, etc) within bounds; restrain |
| 3. | to consist of; comprise: the book contains three different sections |
| 4. | military to prevent (enemy forces) from operating beyond a certain level or area |
| 5. | maths |
| a. to be a multiple of, leaving no remainder: 6 contains 2 and 3 | |
| b. to have as a subset | |
| [C13: from Old French contenir, from Latin continēre, from com- together + tenēre to hold] | |
| con'tainable | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
contain
late 13c., from O.Fr. contenir, from L. continere (transitive) "to hold together, enclose," from com- "together" + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Related: Container (c.1500).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
Each bolt can contain up to one billion volts of electricity.
These shredded computer boards contain plenty of precious metals.
The ceiling has a series of recessed panels that contain incandescent downlights to further brighten and define the space.
That's why cones are used to contain chickens in their final moments.
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