comprehend

[ kom-pri-hend ]
See synonyms for comprehend on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to understand the nature or meaning of; grasp with the mind; perceive: He did not comprehend the significance of the ambassador's remark.

  2. to take in or embrace; include; comprise: The course will comprehend all facets of Japanese culture.

Origin of comprehend

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English comprehenden, from Latin comprehendere, from com- com- + prehendere “to seize” (see prehension)

synonym study For comprehend

2. See include.

Other words from comprehend

  • com·pre·hend·er, noun
  • com·pre·hend·ing·ly, adverb
  • non·com·pre·hend·ing, adjective
  • non·com·pre·hend·ing·ly, adverb
  • pre·com·pre·hend, verb (used with object)
  • self-com·pre·hend·ing, adjective
  • un·com·pre·hend·ed, adjective
  • un·com·pre·hend·ing, adjective
  • un·com·pre·hend·ing·ly, adverb
  • well-com·pre·hend·ed, adjective

Words that may be confused with comprehend

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use comprehend in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for comprehend

comprehend

/ (ˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnd) /


verb
  1. to perceive or understand

  2. (tr) to comprise or embrace; include

Origin of comprehend

1
C14: from Latin comprehendere, from prehendere to seize

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