contain

verb
UK: /kənˈteɪn/
US: /kənˈteɪn/

  1. To have something inside.

    1. This box contain books. [ ] [ ]
    2. Does this product contain any artificial flavors or preservatives? [ ] [ ]

  2. To keep something from spreading or escaping.

    1. Try to contain your dog. [ ] [ ]
    2. The firefighters worked hard to contain the wildfire before it reached the town. [ ] [ ]

  3. To control or restrain an emotion or feeling.

    1. I can't contain my joy. [ ] [ ]
    2. She struggled to contain her anger when she heard the news. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

include control restrain hold repress comprise accommodate
contain transitive-verb

  1. To include something as a part.

    1. This list contain names. [ ] [ ]
    2. The new software update will contain several important security patches. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "contain" in English means: To have something inside., To keep something from spreading or escaping., To control or restrain an emotion or feeling..

The phonetic transcription of "contain" is /kənˈteɪn/ in British English and /kənˈteɪn/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "contain": include, control, restrain, hold, repress, comprise, accommodate.

Example usage of "contain": "This box contain books.". More examples on the page.