Contain — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kən-ˈtān/ con·tain

Meaning & Definition of Contain

Contain (verb)

  1. to have within, hold
  2. comprise, include
  3. to keep within limits

Contain (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to have within

    "the top drawer of the cabinet contains my stamp collection"

    similar: bear, boast, hold
    related: accommodate, fit, take, case, encase, enclose, encompass, harbor, house, lodge, shelter

  2. to have as part of a whole

    "the contract contains several new clauses"

    similar: carry, comprehend, embrace, encompass, entail, include, involve, number, subsume, take in
    related: comprise, consist (of), bracket, have, hold, own, possess, admit, receive, compose, constitute, form, make, assimilate, embody, incorporate, integrate
    opposite: exclude, leave (out), miss out (British), omit
    near: ban, bar, debar, preclude, prevent, prohibit, deny, refuse, reject, eliminate, except, rule out, lose, mislay, misplace

  3. to be made up of

    "the recipe contains several parts"

    similar: comprise, consist (of), muster
    related: comprehend, embrace, encompass, entail, include, involve, take in, assimilate, embody, incorporate

  4. to gain emotional or mental control of

    "could hardly contain herself when she heard that she had won the scholarship"

    similar: calm, collect, compose, control, re-collect, settle
    related: hold back, restrain, rally, recover, lull, quiet, soothe, still, tranquilize

  5. to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)

    "frantic efforts to contain the spread of the disease"

    similar: bridle, check, constrain, control, curb, govern, hold, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame
    related: bottle (up), choke (back), hold back, mince, muffle, pocket, repress, sink, smother, squelch, stifle, strangle, suppress, swallow, arrest, interrupt, stop, block, hamper, handcuff, hinder, impede, obstruct, gag, muzzle, silence
    opposite: lose
    near: liberate, loose, loosen, unleash, air, express, take out, vent

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Contain

The most common words with a similar meaning to Contain:

bear, boast, hold, carry, comprehend, embrace, encompass, entail, include, involve, number, subsume, take in, comprise, consist (of), muster, calm, collect, compose, control, re-collect, settle, bridle, check, constrain, curb, govern, inhibit, keep, measure, pull in, regulate, rein (in), restrain, rule, tame

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Contain

Words with the opposite meaning of Contain:

exclude, leave (out), miss out, omit, lose

Related Words for Contain

accommodate, fit, take, case, encase, enclose, harbor, house, lodge, shelter, bracket, have, own, possess, admit, receive, constitute, form, make, assimilate, embody, incorporate, integrate, hold back, rally, recover, lull, quiet, soothe, still

Near Antonyms of Contain

ban, bar, debar, preclude, prevent, prohibit, deny, refuse, reject, eliminate, except, rule out, mislay, misplace, liberate, loose, loosen, unleash, air, express, take out, vent

Word Forms of Contain

Inflections: contained, containing, contains

Derived words: containable (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Contain

Middle English conteynen, borrowed from Anglo-French cunteign-, cunteyn-, present tense stem of contenir, cuntenir, going back (with conjugation change) to Latin continēre "to hold together, restrain, have as contents," from con- con- + tenēre "to hold, occupy, possess" tenant:1

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Contain

Frequently Asked Questions about Contain

What does "Contain" mean?

"Contain" means to have within, hold. As a verb, it is defined as: to have within, hold. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Contain"?

Other words for "Contain" include bear, boast, hold, carry, comprehend, embrace, encompass and entail. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Contain" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Contain"?

There are 92 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Contain". Common alternatives include bear, boast, hold, carry, comprehend, embrace, encompass, entail, include and involve.

What is the opposite of "Contain"?

Antonyms of "Contain" include exclude, leave (out), miss out, omit and lose. Near antonyms include ban, bar, debar and preclude.

How do you use "Contain" in a sentence?

Examples of "Contain" in a sentence: "the top drawer of the cabinet contains my stamp collection"; "the contract contains several new clauses"; "the recipe contains several parts".

Is "Contain" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Contain" is a verb.

Is "Contain" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Contain" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Contain"?

"Contain" is pronounced /kən-ˈtān/ and divided into syllables as con·tain.