contain

Pronunciation

• (US) enPR: kən-tān', IPA ^(key): /kənˈteɪn/, SAMPA: /k@n"teIn/

• Audio (CA)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: con‧tain

Verb

Plain form contain

Third-person singular contains

Past tense contained

Past participle contained

Present participle containing

1. (transitive) If $x$ contains $y$, $y$ is in $x$.

   Did the envelope contain a letter?

   Each box contains enough food for a family of ten for about a week.

   The opinions contained in this report are the private opinions of the authors.

   The plant's leaves have a rich lemon smell and contain compounds that can keep away insects.

   Some building materials contain a high percentage of recycled material.

   Tea contains substances called antioxidants that can help keep cells healthy.

   A big part of Mississippi's history is contained in those files.

2. (transitive) If you contain something, you stop it from getting out.

   Molly was so happy should could barely contain her tears.

   Firefighters are trying to contain the fire in an area away from houses.

Related words

• container
• containment