Meaning of contain in English

Table of contents

Verb
contain
Etymology
Middle English: from Old French contenir, from Latin continere, from con-‘altogether’ + tenere‘to hold’
Definitions
1. include or contain
Examples
- « have as a component »
- « A totally new idea is comprised in this paper »
- « The record contains many old songs from the 1930's »
Derived terms
- incorporation
2. contain or hold
Examples
- « have within »
- « The jar carries wine »
- « The canteen holds fresh water »
- « This can contains water »
Derived terms
3. lessen the intensity of
Examples
- « temper »
- « hold in restraint »
- « hold or keep within limits »
- « moderate your alcohol intake »
- « hold your tongue »
- « hold your temper »
- « control your anger »
Derived terms
4. be divisible by
Examples
- « 24 contains 6 »
5. be capable of holding or containing
Examples
- « This box won't take all the items »
- « The flask holds one gallon »
Derived terms
6. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy
Examples
- « check the expansion or influence of »
- « Arrest the downward trend »
- « Check the growth of communism in Sout East Asia »
- « Contain the rebel movement »
- « Turn back the tide of communism »
Derived terms

Famous quotes

« History books that contain no lies are extremely dull. »
Anatole France
« A house is no home unless it contain food and fire for the mind as well as for the body. »
Margaret Fuller
« Shapes that contain no inner components of positive/negative relationships will function better with other shapes of the same nature. »
Keith Haring
« In my experience, there is only one motivation, and that is desire. No reasons or principle contain it or stand against it. »
Jane Smiley
« Love is not weakness. It is strong. Only the sacrament of marriage can contain it. »
Boris Pasternak